The Sonso Lagoon is a hidden paradise in the Cauca Valley, 40 minutes from Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia. At more than 5000 acres, the laguna is the largest wetland in the region. Community researchers have logged more than 200 species of birds in the area, a wonder for tourists who come from different parts of the world to delight in the variety of the landscape. There, once travelers have left behind the bustle of Cali and the pressure of the clock, they discover a story of community entrepreneurship. Artisanal fishermen, midwives, and young people of the area teamed up several years ago to promote ecotourism, preserve this natural paradise, and share it with those who come from outside to enjoy it sustainably. Some bird species grab the bulk of birders’ photos, including the Marsh Vulture (Anhima cornuta), the Ruby-Rumped Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus), the Masked Cardinal (Paroaria nigrogenis) and the Yellow-Headed Monjita (Chrysomus...