Resplendent Quetzal Flight (1 of 1)
My latest trip to Costa Rica, led by Colby Brown, included a couple attempts to photograph the aptly named Resplendent Quetzal. I had tried unsuccessfully, several years before, to get an image of the male. Here was another chance. We tried in the afternoon, when they were known to be more active, but I didn't come away with more than some brief sightings, still very much worth it. We were divided as a group as to whether to try again in the morning when they are less active, with the majority initially electing to work with the hummingbirds, always a treat and reliable. It was no question for me, I wanted to take my chances on this bucket list bird. It was only going to be myself and a couple of other wonderful groupmates but when we were being dropped off the resident guide mentioned that a female had been seen perched that morning. At that point, almost all of us got off the bus. It started with a beautiful portrait of the female, facing us. That alone was reward enough. But the birds were active that morning and we had several sightings of both male and female birds. This one's my favorite, out in the open and in a nice pose. It's the brilliant male. The female is beautiful but lacks the bright red chest and long 'resplendent' tail feathers which form wonderful patterns in flight. (Pharomachrus mocinno)
Resplendent Quetzal Flight (1 of 1)
My latest trip to Costa Rica, led by Colby Brown, included a couple attempts to photograph the aptly named Resplendent Quetzal. I had tried unsuccessfully, several years before, to get an image of the male. Here was another chance. We tried in the afternoon, when they were known to be more active, but I didn't come away with more than some brief sightings, still very much worth it. We were divided as a group as to whether to try again in the morning when they are less active, with the majority initially electing to work with the hummingbirds, always a treat and reliable. It was no question for me, I wanted to take my chances on this bucket list bird. It was only going to be myself and a couple of other wonderful groupmates but when we were being dropped off the resident guide mentioned that a female had been seen perched that morning. At that point, almost all of us got off the bus. It started with a beautiful portrait of the female, facing us. That alone was reward enough. But the birds were active that morning and we had several sightings of both male and female birds. This one's my favorite, out in the open and in a nice pose. It's the brilliant male. The female is beautiful but lacks the bright red chest and long 'resplendent' tail feathers which form wonderful patterns in flight. (Pharomachrus mocinno)