Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca) emerging from the hole of a tree.
Grey Breasted Mountain Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca) in flight leaving its nest in the hole of a tree in Coumbia, South America
Close up image of a green and black Fruiteater (Pipreola riefferii)
Closeup image of a green throated hummingbird at rest.
Closeup of a golden colored hummingbird, a "Shining Sunbeam" (Aglaeactis cupripennis) at rest
Mountain landscape photographed in Columbia, SA
a brown and white Chestnut-winged cinclodes (Cinclodes albidiventris) at rest on a rock
Misty blue mountains with silhouetted palm trees in the foreground.
Misty blue mountains with white clouds rolling over the first mountain ridge in the foreground.
Ggreen Throated Carib hummingbird at reast on a small branch.
Brown Violetear Hummingbird at rest on a small branch.
Green-throated carib in flight
Yellow, brown, white and black, "great kiskadee" (Pitangus sulphuratus) at rest on a tree branch.
Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) at rest on a tree branch.
Local village men sitting at tables on a sidewalk.
Church on the town square with many red tables and red chairs in the foreground in the square
A muddy river cuts through a rocky, tree studded valley in Columbia South America

Colombia March, 6 – 16, 2020

The more we reflect upon our trip to Colombia, the more we realize the impact it had on our lives. Our guide, Diego Calderon, not only shared his extraordinary ornithological knowledge, but also his experiences when he was a hostage of the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People’s Army) for several months.

It was unsettling to try to enjoy the marvels of Colombia while trying to keep up with the news of the COVID 19 pandemic which was declared on March 13, 2020 while we were in remote areas of the Andes with poor internet access.

Our trip was ultimately cut short by the closure of borders in South America and we missed seeing Cartagena. We must definitely go back to retrace our steps in the Colombian Andes and enjoy the fascinating Caribbean city of Cartagena.

Maria Rosa Costanzo, MD, FACC, FAHA

Dr. Costanzo is a cardiologist, philanthropist, mother, adventurer, photographer, and reveler in life. When she is not writing or presenting on heart health, wellness and all other things ‘cardiology’, she can be found shooting images or compiling these into books for her family and friends.