Daily Archives: February 19, 2022

Chlorophonia

Golden-browed Chlorophonia: Batsu Gardens, San Geraldo de Dota, Costa Rica — I may have told this story before, but on our first trip to Costa Rica this past December, we had a glimpse of a Golden-browed Chlorophonia, wee and far, in the canopy while hiking, and I, somewhat rashly, promised Dave (an avid birder and bird photographer) that I would show him one close up the next day when we visited Batsu Gardens on the mountain side above Savegre Resort. When we got in the van that takes you up to the gardens, I asked the owner if the Chlorophonia was coming to the feeders, and he said, “Some days”. Hum. So we sat there on the viewing platform all afternoon, watching and photographing hummingbirds, tanagers, finches, and toucanets. We were beginning to lose the light, and Dave had wandered off looking for photo-ops in the larger garden. I was beginning to think I was going to have to eat my words. And then suddenly, the Golden-browed Chlorophonia was there on the feeding station. Dave. Dave. DAVE! Chlorophonia. CHLOROPHONIA! I finally yelled. Dave came. We saw the Chlorophonia. We photographed the Chlorophonia. Whew. Close one. On the next trip I did not promise anyone anything, but we did see the Golden-browed Chlorophonia at Batsu again. And it is certainly a bird worth seeing. Such a bright little bird and such a striking color combination. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos and assembled in FrameMagic. ISO 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.