Montezuma Oropendola. Tranquilo Bay Lodge, Panama

Now that I am back from a busy week teaching Point and Shoot Nature Photography in Florida (and out shooting in the Florida light every day) I can work with my shots from Tranquilo Bay Lodge in Panama more. This is a Montezuma Oropendola…just think giant Oriole and you will have it just right. The Oropendolas, as befits the size of the bird, make huge hanging nests in colony trees. And, as befits the tropical location, the Oropendola is strikingly colored. This shot shows it all, from the pink and orange and blue wattles on the face, to the brilliant bill, to shockingly bright yellow tail. It was taken from the top of the canopy tower at Tranquilo Bay Lodge, on a deeply overcast day…eyelevel for the bird. The tower certainly adds to an already great Tranquilo Bay experience.

Nikon P900 at 850mm equivalent field of view. 1/250th @ ISO 400 @ f5.6. Processed in Topaz Denoise and Lightroom on my Surface Pro 3 tablet.