Central and Northern Chile

Chile stretches like a narrow ribbon along the western edge of South America, encompassing an extraordinary range of ecosystems within a single country. From the fog-nourished coastal deserts and cactus-covered valleys of the north to the windswept puna grasslands and high Andean wetlands, few places offer such striking contrasts—or such rewarding opportunities for bird photography. These diverse landscapes support a remarkable variety of birdlife and I was fortunate enough to enjoy Andean Condors soaring over snow-covered mountains one day and the next stand on a boat a few miles out into the Pacific Ocean with five species of Albatross around me.

This gallery is a collection of images taken during a 10 day journey through Central and Northern Chile, capturing both the birds and the dramatic environments they inhabit.