Resplendent Quetzal: San Geraldo de Dota, Costa Rica — The Resplendent Quetzal has become my Christmas bird. For no reason except maybe for the colors, and the over the top ornamentalism, and the fact that I generally see one in the weeks coming up to Christmas, if I get to Costa Rica, and I have for at least most of the past 10 years. So, my Christmas bird. I have yet to get my perfect photo of a Quetzal, which keeps me coming back for more. They are predictably active only in the early morning, before the sun works its way down to stream level in the deep Savegre River Valley…Valley of the Quetzals…and there is never enough light to do full justice to the glorious, resplendent, plumage. There are worse ways to celebrate Christmas, so if it becomes a tradition, that’s okay with me. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications (with ISO shutter speed limits reset for the low light). Processed in Photomator and Photo Quality. And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.