While visiting the well known sites of La Chocolatera and La Lobería near Salinas, Ecuador, it’s worth the time to take a small detour up the hill to the Mirador Puntilla Santa Elena which overlooks the entire area. There you can spend a few minutes admiring the bird’s eye view from up high.
If you happen to be a lover of small birds, walk to scrub line surrounding the parking area. It is fairly easy to approach the small finches perched on small branches and the ground doves pecking seeds from the dusty ground. With a little luck you will hear the thrum of hummingbird wings and maybe catch a glimpse of a Small-tailed Woodstar. And ubiquitous Mockingbird is almost guaranteed to make an entrance.
But perhaps more stunning than even the view and the variety of small birds are the vultures that flock to this area in the late afternoon. They are attracted by tall antennas where they perch in between flights on the thermals that invisibly swirl around the immense blue sky. The vista point makes an excellent spot to catch these birds in flight. Though not as majestic as eagles or hawks, vultures have a stunning silhouette and this unique vantage point makes it possible to capture their portraits in flight.
La Chocolatera, Salinas
Mirador Puntilla de Santa Elena
Information For Your Trip
There is little shade so come prepared for lots of sunshine. During the weekends and holidays, there may be vendors selling water, ice cream, and food.
- Direction by Car, use WAZE and look for La Chocolatera, Salinas, Provincia de Santa Elena
- Direction by Public Transportation - on our last visit, it was not possible to enter the military base by bus but it was affordable to hire a taxi.
Hi AJ,
Still hoping you’ll see Andean Condors. One of our success stories is the slow revival of their California cousins. Seems like they are dping fine since we quit poisoning them.On a trip I took my Rotties over Cal 166 and went up a forest road just west of the Carrizo Plain. We drove uphill to the south until I spied a gaggle of hang glider folks. We parked and walked up toward them and the largest bird glided overhead. It was Condor #60 which I later learned was a mature female. I asked them, and they told me the condors would soar with them. Amazing. A total of 5 condors arrived to inspect (and prospect) my truck and perch on it. The glider folks held on to the rottweilers while I got my rig and the birds were totally unafraid. Got a picture somewhere, I’ll see if I can find it.
Has the narcotrafficante problems spilled into Ecuador? Sure hope not!
I keep hoping we’ll see them too… we’re off to some high mountains next weekend so keep your fingers crossed for us!