Lesson’s Motmot: Hotel Bougainvillea, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025 — There were more Lesson’s Motmots in the gardens at Hotel Bougainvillea this spring than I have ever seen there. At least 3 or 4 pairs when most years I have only seen a single pair. When Motmots are on the hunt, they are pretty much oblivious to human beings. This one swooped within inches of our heads several times and landed at our feet in search of whatever small wormy thing it was after in the grass. You can see clearly here what it was originally named the “blue-crowned” Motmot. There still is a Blue-crowned Motmot, with a solid blue crown and no central back spot with a restricted range in the forests of eastern Mexico, but the now separated Lesson’s ranges from Mexico south through eastern Panama. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600 and 382mm equivalents. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.