Monthly Archives: February 2025
Anhinga
Anhinga: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — When I visited Orlando Wetlands in January the Anhingas were just coming into breeding plumage, the male Anhinga is an elegant bird at any time. The intricate black and white patterns of wings and tail are something to behold. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Black-faced Grosbeak
Black-faced Grosbeak: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — There were several Black-faced Grosbeaks working the undergrowth and the under side of the low canopy in Victor’s little patch of second growth rainforest, but they proved to be very hard to photograph. This is the only decent shot I got out of a dozen or more attempts. Like our North American grosbeaks, this one is a member of the cardinal family. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Bittern!
American Bittern: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — I was very excited to see this American Bittern along the boardwalk at Orlando Wetlands, and to be able to show it to my photography class. Others saw it along the Bobcat trail, and it has, if the photos posted on Facebook are anything to go by, been seen regularly ever since. Some have gotten better photo ops than we were given…it never did step out from behind the grasses, but we make do with what we get 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Note that this is an auto focus shot and the camera was able to focus on the eye even though it did not have a clear line of sight. 🙂 Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
The last Trogon
Gartered Trogon: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — This is the last of the Trogons to put in an appearance at Tico Rainforest B&B on my last morning there. You have to look closely to differentiate the Gartered from the Black-throated Trogon we saw earlier. The yellow eye-ring and the more vertical than horizontal banding on the tail are the give-aways. This bird never gave me a clear, unobstructed line of sight, but it is a great bird for all that. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Boardwalk Gallinule
Purple Gallinule: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — This Purple Gallinule was in the exact same spot both days I visited Orlando Wetlands in January…right under the boardwalk not far in. The second day we had sun! Which, of course, presents its own photographic challenges. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 382 and 450mm equivalents. Program with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Mother love
Mantled Howler Monkey: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2025. This youngster was actually pretty independent already. I saw it climbing around in the branches on its own, though never more than a few feet from mom. We humans respond to the young of most species (well, at least the mammals) in a unique and predictable way. Awwwh. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Sandhills in the sky
Sandhill Crane: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, January 2025 — Florida Sandhill Crane in the clear blue sky over Orlando Wetlands. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Black-throated Trogon
Black-throated Trogon: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — On this December trip to rainforest Costa Rica we encountered 4 different species of Trogon, 3 at Tico Rainforest B&B and another at Caño Negro. This Black-throated Trogon was the least likely of the 4 for us to see, so, of course, it is the most special. 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Breakfast
Red-shouldered Hawk: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — As I mentioned yesterday and in a post a while ago, the Red-shouldered Hawk we encountered along the berm at Orlando Wetlands dropped down right in front of us for a morning snack. If you look closely at the image you will see the last bit of a lizard’s tail disappearing down the bird’s throat, and that strange bulge in the throat is its body as it is literally swallowed whole. What a treat. Both for the hawk, and for the photographers watching. 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
In the Water Apple tree
Mantled Howler Monkey: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — Eventually the troop of Howlers moved over us to the Water Apple tree at the back corner of Victor’s photo glade, just where the property slopes down to the Puerto Viejo river. Water Apples attract both birds and wildlife when they ripen. I hear mixed reports from humans as to the taste, but some apparently quite like them. The Howlers certainly did. However Howlers often seem to take a bite out of the fruit and then drop it. I am not sure what that is all about. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.