Chasing the Elusive Glass Frog at Mashpi Lodge

​About a month ago, while exploring Ecuador's cloud forest and staying at Mashpi Lodge, we set out on a nighttime adventure just after 7:00 PM, hoping to spot the elusive glass frog. The rain was relentless, and the darkness felt almost complete—honestly, the comfort of the lodge and a warm meal were hard to leave behind. But we hadn't come all this way to stay indoors.

Our patience was rewarded when our guide finally spotted one. Glass frogs are fascinating. They are named for their translucent skin, which makes their internal organs—and even a beating heart—visible. This see-through feature gives them excellent camouflage among the wet green leaves.

Sometimes, it's the moments when you push beyond comfort that turn into the most unforgettable experiences.

Mashpi Lodge, Chocó Ecoregion, Pichincha, Ecuador