By Julio Ayala
Julio Ayala is an Ecuadorian naturalist, birding guide, wildlife photographer, and founder of Butterfly & Bird Julio Tours – Ecolodge in Nanegal, Ecuador. Raised in the cloud forests of the Chocó Andean region, he has spent more than two decades exploring its extraordinary biodiversity. Julio specializes in birdwatching, bird photography, butterfly photography, and personalized nature tours throughout Ecuador. Passionate about conservation, he also rescues birds after window collisions whenever possible and works with local children to promote environmental education. Through his guiding and photography, he hopes to inspire visitors from around the world to discover and protect Ecuador’s remarkable wildlife.
I grew up surrounded by forests in Ecuador, where birds were simply part of everyday life. As a child, I knew many of them because my family lived close to nature, but I had never truly seen them. They were just birds flying through the trees.
Everything changed when I was a teenager working at Santa Lucía Ecolodge in the cloud forests of Nanegal. My job was simple: helping around the lodge, carrying supplies, and supporting the daily operation. Every week, scientists, birdwatchers, and photographers from around the world visited the reserve. I watched them disappear into the forest each morning carrying binoculars and cameras, always returning excited about the birds they had seen.
One day, a visitor noticed my curiosity and handed me his binoculars.
He pointed toward a bird perched high in the canopy.
When I looked through those binoculars, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
For the first time in my life, I saw a bird in incredible detail. Its feathers, its eyes, its colors—everything seemed alive in a way I had never experienced before. In that moment, I understood why people traveled thousands of miles just to watch birds.
That single moment changed my life forever.
From then on, I wanted to learn everything I could. I spent years learning from scientists, birdwatchers, photographers, and conservationists who visited the cloud forest. I learned bird identification, behavior, habitats, vocalizations, and the importance of conservation. Little by little, the forest became my classroom.
Eventually, I became a professional birding guide.
My first tour was with a couple searching for the Golden-headed Quetzal. By imitating the bird’s call with my hands, I was able to bring it closer. When the quetzal appeared, the couple could hardly believe it. They told me it was one of the most memorable wildlife experiences they had ever had. That day gave me confidence that guiding was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Years later, I founded Butterfly & Bird Julio Tours – Ecolodge, where I now guide visitors through Ecuador’s cloud forests, helping them discover birds, butterflies, orchids, and other wildlife.
Today, my work goes beyond guiding. Whenever possible, I rescue birds that collide with lodge windows and release them back into the forest. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge with local children, encouraging them to appreciate and protect the incredible biodiversity that surrounds them.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think that everything began with one simple act of kindness—a visitor sharing a pair of binoculars with a curious young man.
Those binoculars didn’t just help me see a bird.
They helped me discover my life’s purpose.
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