Blue-chested Hummingbird: Rainforest Discovery Center, Pipeline Road, Panama, July 2022 — there were Blue-chested Hummingbirds coming to the feeders at the base of the Canopy Tower, so, even though it was a new hummer for me this trip, I was not surprised to see it at the Rainforest Discovery Center on Pipeline Road. They seem to be relatively abundant, and among the more aggressive defenders of feeders. And, they seem to have favored perches where they return time and time again. This one was determined that I get its “best side” in the photo while it did its display. Sony Rx10iv at 567mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications and multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Nominal exposure: ISO 6400 @ f4 @ 1/200th. Plus .7EV exposure compensation.

Violet-bellied Hummingbird: Rainforest Discovery Center, Pipeline Road, Panama, July 2022 — The star of the afternoon hummingbird show at the Rainforest Discovery Center in Panama would have to be the Violet-bellied Hummingbird. Of course it helps that it was the only “new” hummingbird for me on the visit, but is is certainly a stand-out no matter how often it is seen. In good light the brilliant green of the head and the contrasting rich violet of the chest and belly are an eye-full. As you might be able to tell from the photos, by the time the Violet-bellied became active around the feeders, we were loosing the light to the on-coming thunder storms, but still! Sony Rx10iv at 485-600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications and multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Nominal exposures all at ISO 6400 @ f4 with plus .7EV exposure compensation.

Long-billed Hermit Hummingbird: Rainforest Discovery Center, Pipeline Road, Panama, July 2022 — One afternoon, we visited the Rainforest Discovery Center, on Pipeline Road (near Canopy Tower) in Panama…mostly for the hummingbird feeders. There is nothing much I like better than spending a few hours watching hummingbirds coming to the feeders, and especially, perching in the foliage around the feeders. Except for a few chance encounters in the deep undergrowth of the rainforest, this is my only experience of a perched Long-billed Hermit. As you can see, this one kept returning to perch within sight, and I was able to get a few photo, despite the increasingly dim light under the canopy as the afternoon rains came in. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications and multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Nominal exposure: ISO 3200 and 4000 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Plus .7 EV exposure compensation.

Stripe-throated Hermit Hummingbird: Canopy Tower, Panama, July 2022 — The Stripe-throated Hermit is a hard hummingbird to photograph. They rarely perch, and when they do it is in deep cover well away from any feeders. I caught this one momentarily perched on a feeder in the courtyard of the Canopy Tower lodge in Panama. Though I don’t like, or often post, feeder shots, this shot is exceptional (at least among my shots) in that it shows this tiny hummer in all its fine detail. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications with multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Equivalent ISO 5000 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

White-vented Plumeleteer: Canopy Tower, Panama, July 2022 — Another hummingbird from the courtyard at Canopy Tower, and another new bird for me on this trip. I have seen the Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer in Costa Rica, but the White-vented does not get that far north, and in Panama is limited to the east haft of the country, from the Canal Zone to the Darian. The plumeleteer is a fairly large hummingbird, and the brilliant green certainly makes it stand out. My Panama Birds app has it as rare but also a species of least concern from a conservation standpoint. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications and multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Equivalent ISO 3200 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Blue-chested Hummingbird: After my orientation and my welcome by the Red-lored Parrots from the top floor dinning area and lounge of the Canopy Tower, I went down to ground level to check on the hummingbirds I had glimpsed between the van and the door of the Tower on my way in. There were at least 5 species coming to the feeders they have out in the front courtyard. This is the Blue-chested Hummingbird, a new hummer for me on this trip. Blue-chested is an optimistic name for the species, as it it hard to see the blue…I see it as more of a light purple wash, and more of a bib than a chest orniment, in most light. Not as flashy as some hummers but still a beautiful bird. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 2000 and 1000 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Minus .3EV.

Violet-bellied Hummingbird: Rainforest Discovery Center, Panama, July 2022 — I took about 300 photos of this hummer to get 3 good ones. The Rainforest Discovery Center on the Pipeline Road in Panama is an great place for hummers. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications and multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Equivalent ISO 6400 @ f4 @ 1/160. Plus .7EV.