Although it is grown in Fullerton Botanical Garden, it is found in the Pampas grasslands of South America, where it is a tree called the Ombu. It is the only tree-like plant that lives on the Pampas because it does not require much water to survive. The Ombu can be found in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Ombu Tree
Ombu Sign
Ecuador Amazon – Sunset Sky
The beautiful sunset at the end of our trip leaves wonderful memories of the Ecuador Amazon
Ecuador Amazon – Oileus Owl Butterfly
These butterfly species are known colloquially as Owl butterflies, due to the owl-like false eyes, and the feathery appearance of the underside wings.
Ecuador Amazon – Sky Reflections in the Lake
The soft colors of a blue Amazon basin sky are reflected in a serene lake
Ecuador Amazon – Hoatzin Portrait
A nice pose from the Stink Bird with detail of the feathers and the colorful plume
Ecuador Amazon – A Glow in the Dark
A butterfly creates a nice glowing contrast against the background
Ecuador Amazon – Greater Ani
The Greater Ani is sometimes referred to as the Black Cuckoo. The Greater Ani is about 48 cm (19 in) long and weighs 170 g (6 oz). The adult is mainly blue-glossed black, with a long tail, massive ridged black bill, and a white iris.
Ecuador Amazon – Sunset Gold
A setting sun creates golden hues in the sky and reflections in the lake
Ecuador Amazon – Perfectly Camouflaged
This colorful lizard hides among the foliage of plants in the Amazon jungle
Ecuador Amazon – Hoatzin Spreading its Wings
The Hoatzin (stink bird), shown here spreading its wings, is a species of tropical bird found in swamps and mangrove of the Amazon and the Orinoco delta in South America.
Ecuador Amazon – Malachite Butterfly
The Malachite (Siproeta stelenes) is a neotropical brush-footed butterfly. The malachite has large wings that are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upper sides and light brown and olive green on the undersides. It is named for the mineral malachite, which is similar in color to the bright green on the butterfly’s wings.
Ecuador Amazon – Out on a Limb
A couple of birds sitting on the branch of a dead tree nicely silhouetted against a blue sky with fluffy clouds
Ecuador Amazon – Butterfly Colors
A blending of colors in the jungle
Ecuador Amazon – Greater Ani on a Tree
The Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) is a large bird in the cuckoo family. It is a breeding species from Panama and Trinidad through tropical South America to northern Argentina.
Ecuador Amazon – Hoatzin Pair
The Hoatzin is notable for having chicks that possess claws on two of their wing digits. The alternative name of “stinkbird” is derived from the bird’s manure-like odor, caused by its digestive system
Ecuador Amazon – Hoatzin
The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), also known as the Stinkbird, is a species of tropical bird found in swamps, riparian forest and mangrove of the Amazon and the Orinoco delta in South America.
Ecuador Amazon – Black Tarantulas
Photographically capturing tarantulas at night in the deep jungle
Ecuador Amazon – A Dark Cloud in a Cloud
An unusual cloud formation in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Ecuador Amazon – Butterfly Feeding on a Banana
A pair of butterflies feed on a banana at the sanctuary at Sacha Lodge
Ecuador Amazon – An Interesting Butterfly
The symmetrical patterns on this butterfly are interesting