Daily Archives: March 30, 2024
Maine! Ridiculous Finch
House Finch: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — I have never seen the courting behavior of the House Finch before yesterday and it is really quite something to see. It certainly appears as if the ability to look ridiculous might improve the breeding success of male House Finches. This one certainly thought it did, though I can’t say the female looks like the display is putting her in an amorous mood. He went on like this for quite some time, doing his best to strike the most ridiculous pose. And noisy too. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Lesser Violetear
Lesser Violetear Hummingbird: Feathers Garden, Savegre Mountain Hotel and Spa, San Geraldo de Dota, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Another hummingbird who frequents the Feathers Garden at Savegre: the Lesser Violetear. It used to be the Green Violetear, until the name gods changed it to the Mexican and Lesser Violetear…and, no, there is no Greater Violetear. ?? This is a feisty little hummer that attempts to dominate the feeders wherever you find it…and it is common from the upper reaches of the Rainforest right up through Cloud Forest, at least to 8000 feet where I have seen it often. OM System OM-1 with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.