Posts in Category: Panama
Black-crowned Antpitta
Black-crowned Antpitta: Canopy Lodge, Panama, July 2022 — The Antpittas are all smallish birds that stay pretty close to the ground in the dense undergrowth of old growth rainforest through Central and South America, where they follow Army Ant swarms and feast on other ants of the forest. Most are listed as “rare”, but I think that is due mainly to how difficult they are to see. The Black-crowned ranges through most of Panama, and is found in Columbia and Costa Rica as well. We found this one in dense forest on the edge of the huge chicken farm above Canopy Lodge. And of course, photographing an antpitta is always a challenge…down low in heavy undergrowth, with limited lines of sight,and never enough light. They do have the habit of hopping up on a log and running the length of it…every antpitta I have seen, we first spotted when it did that. 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 @ 1/20th and 1/25th. Plus .3 EV.
Aplomado Falcon!
Aplomado Falcon: Las Uvas, Panama, July 2022 — We were on our way back to the highway when Tino spotted this bird in a tree right beside the road. I was cooperative enough so we could park up and get out and walk a bit closer. It eventually flew off, only to land on a tree further down the road with it mate. I have see a few of the reintroduced population in South Texas and New Mexico, but this was a first for Central America. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixomator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th. Plus 1EV exposure compensation.
Lance-tailed Manakin
Lance-tailed Manakin: Las Uvas, Panama, July 2022 — Another bird we had to work for, walking long sections of dirt road and checking frequently, but well worth it when we finally got good views. All credit to Tino, my guide. We drove up and over the mountains from Canopy Lodge and down to the Pacific Wetlands. What a bird! 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 4000 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Rosy Thrush-Tanager
Rosy Thrush-Tanager: Canopy Lodge, Panama, July 2022 — We (or at least my guide, Tino) worked hard for this bird. We visited three locations around Canopy Lodge, and heard them each place, before fining one that would come out for a photo. Tino has more patience that I have for this kind of thing, but the wait was worth it. 🙂 Conditions were not ideal. These were taken from under an umbrella in moderate rain. Still a beautiful bird and unique among Tanagers in spending more time on the ground than in the foliage…hence the Thrush part of the name. The female, which I got a glimpse of, is orange where the male is rose red. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications and multi-frame noise reduction. Equivalent ISO 5000 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Rufous Motmot
Rufous Motmot: Canopy Lodge, Panama, July 2022 — There is a pair of Rufous Motmots living on the grounds or Canopy Lodge in the foothills of Panama. This bird came closer and closer until it flew by my head at about 3 feet on its way across the whole open veranda lounge and dinning area. Sony Rx10iv at 447mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications with multi-frame noise reduction. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. Equivalent ISO 3200 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Gartered Trogon
Gartered Trogon: Canopy Tower, Panama, July 2022 — On our last morning at the Canopy Tower we, of course, gathered for coffee and birds on the observation deck and were blessed by a visit from this Gartered Trogon. Sony Rs10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 500 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Greatest Sloth encounter ever!
Three-toed Sloth: Canopy Tower, Panama, July 2022 — This Three-toed Sloth climbed up into a tree right by the tower the first day I was here, and has been in the same tree until yesterday, when it disappeared. Late in afternoon yesterday while playing my flute on the tower, it emerged from behind a big bunch of leaves where it had been hidden in the next tree over, and I watched it sipping water from various leaves and flower clusters as it moved down one limb and up another over the course of 15 minutes. I even got video! The light was great, the sloth was as active as I have ever seen one, and I was at eye-level. Could not get any better! Sony Rx10iv at 526mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 500 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Blue Cotinga
Blue Cotinga: Canopy Tower Lodge, Panama, July 2022 — There was a fairly heavy fog around the Canopy Tower yesterday morning when we climbed up top to see what was happening. I had actually gone down for breakfast when one of the lingerers came half way down the stairs to tell us there was “a very special bird.” And it was. The male Blue Cotinga. I am always surprised by how large Cotingas are. Eventually the bird came close enough for a shot even through the fog. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 500 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Plus 1 EV.
Pic for today: Violet-bellied Hummingbird
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.
Greeter at Canopy Tower
Red-lored Parrot, Canopy Tower, Panama, July 2022 — There were 5 Red-lored Amazon Parrots waiting to greet me when I arrived at the observation level of Canopy Tower after my flights and being picked up at the airport. Nice of them. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Plus 1.7EV for the backlight.