Posts in Category: nature
Costa Rica! mid-morning snack
Slaty-tailed Trogon: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — While watching two Slaty-tailed Trogons, this female did one of her swoop out and catch a bug things, and landed on a vine almost at arm’s reach above my head. Almost too close to focus. This is full frame, uncropped, at 600mm equivalent. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 as above. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Slaty-tailed Trogon
Slaty-tailed Trogon: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui Costa Rica, December 2024 — Victor, my host at Tico Rainforest B&B on the Puerto Viejo River in Costa Rica found me this wonderful Slaty-tailed Trogon on his property, and we had excellent views of at least two individuals. This is a full adult male. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 517mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Just saying
Red-headed Barbet: Mirador ye Soda Cinchona, Costa Rica, December 2024 — Just to prove I was not kidding about the male Red-throated Barbet being an eye-popping bird. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Pouring rain! Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. ISO 10,000. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Female Red-headed Barbet
Red-headed Barbet (female): Mirador ye Soda Cinchona, Costa Rica, December 2024 — The male Red-headed Barbet is one of the most eye-popping birds in Central America, but the female is not far behind! One of my favorite first day stops in Costa Rica, the Mirador ye Soda Cinchona has a deck overhanging the steep drop to the Sarapiqui River gorge, with lots of feeders for both perching birds and hummingbirds. It is always a great place for photography, even on a day like today, when it was pretty much pouring rain. This shot is at ISO 20,000 but with a little help from Photomator’s Denoise, it is presentable. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm (and about as close as the lens will focus…this is a full frame shot). Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed, as above, in Photomator.
Maine! Junco in the snow
Dark-eyed Junco: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — I am traveling this week…in Boston at the moment to catch an early flight to Costa Rica…so my posting schedule may be a bit strange…as and when I have time. This is a Dark-eyed Junco after this morning’s snowfall, looking forward seed on the rail of the deck below the feeders. Kicking up quite a bit of snow. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator. (Taken through the double glazed deck door.)
Maine! Mealworm for breakfast
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — One of this year’s fledglings coming to the deck early for freshly put-out mealworms on a cold December morning just as the first sun brushed the deck. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Taken through the double glazed window of the deck door. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Parking attendant
Raven: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — Another parking lot/roadside pull off attendant Raven. Sitting on the pull out sign waiting patiently for car jockey to empty their cheeto bag onto the ground. Or someone to leave the lunch cooler unattended in the back of a pick-up. Can’t have that you know. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! unexpected Savannah
Savannah Sparrow: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — I have been seeing these sparrows skulking in the brush along a trail through the marsh back from the mouth of the river for a couple of weeks…and just assumed they were Song Sparrows since I could not get a good look, let along a photo. This week on hopped up where I could see it, and, lo and behold, it was a Savannah Sparrow. Now I assume they were Savannah all along…which is, I think, pretty late in the year for Savannah in Southern Maine. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Roadside Bison
American Bison: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — On our first several visits to the Hayden Valley we saw none of the usual Bison. They were evidently still up high. On this swing through the valley though we saw numbers, and by the next day there were herds all along the river. This bison was right beside the road. These shots are at 178 and 444mm equivalents…so you can only imagine how close. Shot out the open window of the car, of course. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 as above. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! The backside of the bluebird of happiness (during a snowstorm)
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — We had our first snow in the yard yesterday. It is all gone by now, but the Bluebirds had to learn about snow all over again, and they were not thrilled to say the least. This one had found a branch to shelter under. The snow may not have made the Bluebird smile, but this Bluebird shot puts a smile on my face. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.