While having breakfast, we were notified that a local guide had discovered the lichen-filled nest of a Mountain Gem at higher elevation. The tiny eggs (the size of fat "Tic-Tacs") had hatched yesterday. Our gear was quickly packed as we set out in search of this rare find. On our arrival to the site, we found the mother vigilantly guarding her nest. After a few images, we left her undisturbed to hike in the nearby canopy walks.
There, we finally encountered a bird that, thus far,
had been photographically elusive as it spends much of its life high in the
canopy -- the Golden-browed Chlorophonia.
Despite the swinging of the suspension bridge (about 80 foot over the
forest floor), the encounter yielded several reasonably good images of their courtship
display.
Later in the day, we returned to the Moutain Gem nest to find the chicks huddled alone in their nest. ( Note that the eyes haven't even opened yet.)
With that wonderful sighting, our Costa Rican birding adventure drew to a close.
Photographic Equipment used during this trip:
With that wonderful sighting, our Costa Rican birding adventure drew to a close.
Photographic Equipment used during this trip:
Body: Canon EOS 7D
Lenses: Canon 800 mm f/4, 300 mm f/2.8, & 28 - 135 mm f/3.5 - 5.6
Flash: Canon Speedlight 580EX II
