Colca Canyon

Fuzzy Llama

If you don't think this is the cutest llama you've ever seen, I don't know how to help you.

Andean Condor

In Colca Canyon, Andean Condors like this beauty soar far above the floor below, yet because of the great depth of the canyon, they are at eyesight from the ridge. The back of the canyon adds a beautiful backdrop. Add a zoom lens to one of their closer passes and you get a picture like this one! Their wingspan is among the largest in the world at almost 11 feet.

Village near Arequipa

On the journey over to the Canyon, we went through many smaller towns on the way. They were beautiful nested in the valley between mountains and with many active terraces in use for agriculture.

Church near Arequipa

Active Volcano

Farming Terraces

Unlike those near the Inca ruins near Cuzco, these ones are all still being used for sustenance farming. Below you can see the Colca River, forming the very impressive canyon.

Power Lines

While Peru has done a good job preserving its rural cathedrals, their antiquated power system isn't always the most photogenic.

Traditional textiles

The owner of the hotel where I stayed also spends his time sewing the intricate patterns traditional of the textiles of this region.

Condor

This guy soared overhead and got some "Ooohhs" and "Aaaahhs"

3 Condors

These 3 were flying together on the far side of the canyon- I was lucky to catch them

Keyboard Condor

There is apparently some variation in coloration of Andean condors- this one has great black and white contrast that makes it stand out from the brown condors.

American Kestrel

I didn't think this little bird I caught on film was cool compared to the condors until after I looked at it on my computer!

Tattered Wings

This guy is either ancient, makes lots of enemies, or both. I thought there was something uniquely beautiful about such character in this bird's wings.

Vicuña

See that little bit of wool between the front legs of this animal? It's the most expensive wool on the planet. It is the finest of wool and extremely scarce. In addition to only growing long on a small portion of the vicuña, these animals only graze free-range and have not been domesticated in the way llamas and alpacas have been.