Carara National Park (part 2)
May 1st, 2014
There are a lot of showy birds in the rainforest. But the showiness of the Royal Flycatcher is sneaky: an exuberant multicolored peacock crest that stays hidden 99% of the time, folded up like an Asian fan into the back of the head.
When it does unfurl, it's very much a blink-or-you-miss-it affair. The easiest way to get a good look is like this: take the bird in hand. Apparently, as discovered by bird banders and researchers, the experience of being held is startling enough to provoke a full-on display. Those of us for whom that is not an option must content ourselves with brief unphotographable glimpses, or with the fraction of the crest that sticks out when the bird preens.
Another of the many army-ant-followers, Barred Antshrike was on my wishlist due to its striking black-and-white plumage. I saw only this one, skulking in a dense thicket. (Like so many of my successful wishlisters, I have Johan's eagle eyes to thank for it.)
I wasn't above photographing the occasional butterfly on a bird-watching tour! This one's a Red Postman, I think.
Orange-Collared Manakin
Just can't get enough of him :-)
(Continued in next post)
May 1st, 2014
There are a lot of showy birds in the rainforest. But the showiness of the Royal Flycatcher is sneaky: an exuberant multicolored peacock crest that stays hidden 99% of the time, folded up like an Asian fan into the back of the head.
When it does unfurl, it's very much a blink-or-you-miss-it affair. The easiest way to get a good look is like this: take the bird in hand. Apparently, as discovered by bird banders and researchers, the experience of being held is startling enough to provoke a full-on display. Those of us for whom that is not an option must content ourselves with brief unphotographable glimpses, or with the fraction of the crest that sticks out when the bird preens.
Another of the many army-ant-followers, Barred Antshrike was on my wishlist due to its striking black-and-white plumage. I saw only this one, skulking in a dense thicket. (Like so many of my successful wishlisters, I have Johan's eagle eyes to thank for it.)
I wasn't above photographing the occasional butterfly on a bird-watching tour! This one's a Red Postman, I think.
Orange-Collared Manakin
Just can't get enough of him :-)
(Continued in next post)
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dagibbs
May 2nd, 2014 at 10:53 am
Butterflies are pretty too.
Mike
May 2nd, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Nice pix! I was really lucky to get a glimpse of the crest... it'd be hard to photograph!