Black-Throated Trogon
The Black-Throated Trogon seems like it would be easy to spot considering its bright colors. However, when walking through the rain forests of Corcovado National Park, something this beautiful could be just feet away from you without you knowing. Luckily we were able to spot this guy who was just 10 feet from the trail.
Evening Night Heron
The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a bit different than the more easily recognizable Egret or Great Blue Heron. This species, following its name, it most active at night, especially at dusk. I shot this heron foraging on the mud flats during low tide just before the "Blue Hour." I really like how there was just enough light on the bird to show off its drastically different colors. The black back section gives off an iridescent color, its eye is bright red, and the rest of its body is a light gray color.
Fiery Throated Hummingbird Close Up
The Fiery Throated Hummingbird is the most spectacularly colored Hummingbirds I have ever seen. With just the right angle, you are able to see exactly how it was named. These birds only breed in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama above an altitude of 1400m. Luckily for me, this one decided to sit long enough for me to capture its amazing colors.
Great Blue Heron on a Mud Flat
This is one of my favorite photos of the Great Blue Heron. You can really see the differences between all of its feathers. Its throat feathers almost appear to create a beard on the bird. Although you may think of Heron's as fish eaters, Great Blue Heron's also eat a wide range of shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, and other small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and even other birds if the opportunity presents itself.
Rufous Tailed humming Bird
While in Costa Rica, we visited a fantastic bird sanctuary. Costa Rica has 54 different humming bird species, of which we saw 5 different species at this location. It was amazing to see such a high concentration of humming birds in one spot. Like other hummingbirds, it feeds on nectar and small insects and is quite territorial, especially of its roosting spot between feedings.
Double Crested Cormorant Swimming
Coming from the midwest, it always amazes me how ever-changing the tidal areas are along the California Coast. This Double Crested Cormorant was swimming along a tidal stream and headed out to the bay. Along the way, it was diving for the fish in the creek. Their green eyes are amazing.
It's Getting a Little Deep
This Snowy Egret was up to its thighs in a tidal pool searching for food using its feet. After stamping one foot around in one place, it would move to another section of the pool until it was satisfied that nothing was there and would move onto the next pool. It is pretty fun to watch them fish using this technique.
Sova
Sova, a Barred Owl, is an animal ambassador for the Wildlife in Need Center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I was fortunate enough to spend time capturing some portraits of this amazing bird. Sova's left eye was removed after a car accident that caused a rental detachment and brain damage. Today she helps educate students.
Keel-billed Toucan
This was the first Toucan I had seen on our first trip to Costa Rica. Toucan's have the largest bill to body size ration of any bird species. It has recently been discovered that the bills are so large in order to remove heat from the bird from the hot temperatures of the tropical rainforest.
Yellow Warbler Singing
One of my favorite and most difficult midwestern birds that I have ever shot. The Yellow Warbler is a beautiful bird that stands about 4 inches tall. It constantly changes position and only sits still long enough to sing once or twice before moving to a new spot in its territory. During mating season these birds are extremely territorial and often battle for the best locations.
Mossy Quetzal
The number one bird that I wanted to see while on my last trip to Costa Rica. This male Resplendent Quetzal was out chasing a lady and spent quite a bit of time hanging out in an Avocado Tree just a few feet from the trail. Here, he is relaxing and showing off his colors on a moss covered branch near the Quetzal National Forest in Costa Rica.