Third in a series.

We spotted this bird one early morning in Etosha NP, Namibia, Africa. She was dancing around chasing something she spotted on the ground, acting much like a Reddish egret fishing in the water.

She started fairly far off, maybe 100 yards or so, but we waited. Gradually, and intensely focused on her hunt, she moved closer and closer to our truck parked on the side of the road. Pretty soon, I was getting nearly full-frame images in my 1D Mark IV at 400 mm. In this photo, I did crop just a little off of the right side and bottom.

If you enlarge the image, you can see the quills at the back of her head, from which the bird gets its name. The bird's quills resemble human secretaries' practice, in the 19th century, of placing quill pens in their hair.

Thanks for viewing and of course as always comments are appreciated.

© Dennis Zaebst All Rights Reserved

Tags:   Africa Namibia Secretary bird Bird animal Etosha outdoor wild Nature Through The Lens Nature's Spirit

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One of the most colorful and beautiful birds in southern Africa....the lilac breasted roller. This bird acts a little like a flycatcher, in that it flies out and catches an insect in the air, or sometimes on the ground, and then returns to the same perch repeatedly. We saw one (not this one) eyeing a rather large scorpion. But the roller was definitely wary of it. A black drongo was looking at the scorpion too, but neither bird picked it up, as another vehicle drove by and crushed it.

This is almost full frame, with very little cropping and SOTC.

Captured in Namibia, Etosha NP, on May 6, 2017 on a 17-day photo tour with Judy Lynn and Gary Malloch (Nature's Tapestry JLM LLC). It was an incredible 17 days!

© Dennis Zaebst All Rights Reserved.

Tags:   Africa Namibia Lilac Breasted Roller Roller bird outdoor animal sunrays+5 coth5 NGC

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Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma)

Captured in Costa Rica April 2016 near the Arenal volcano. A large (about the size of a crow) and colorful bird which typically flies in flocks looking for large insects and fruit. It is a member of the Icterids (Icteridae) which also includes New World blackbirds, orioles, and meadowlarks. The male has an unforgettable gurgling call which can sound reminiscent of the deep tropical jungles.

The oropendola's characteristic markings are a bright yellow tail, and a black bill with a reddish-orange tip. A lot of fun to watch, and listen to as well.

© Dennis Zaebst All Rights Reserved.

Tags:   Montezuma Oropendola Oropendola bird Central America Costa Rica animal Nature Through The Lens Nature's Spirit coth5 s5

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Captured in Costa Rica in April of last year. This is the male. I have posted a couple of other photos of this species from Costa Rica, but this one is my favorite...partly because of the perch, but mostly because the honeycreeper is looking straight at me.

A truly colorful and amazing little bird. Costa Rica has .01% of the land area in the world, but 5% of its biodiversity. I hope this encourages others to visit this wonderful and rich country, and to appreciate what we can still share with future generations, if we are smart enough.

Thank you for viewing and any and all comments are welcomed and appreciated.

© Dennis Zaebst All Rights Reserved.

Tags:   1D Mark IV 500 Central America Costa Rica Honeycreeper Red-legged Honeycreeper animal bird male outdoor Nature Through The Lens coth5 NGC

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Captured in Costa Rica last April on a photo tour with Nature's Tapestry Tours.

A keel-billed toucan showing off that incredible beak. And what a beak it is. So colorful and large it almost looks unreal. However, it definitely serves them well in their quest for food and survival.

© Dennis Zaebst All Rights Reserved.

Tags:   1D-X Central America Costa Rica EF 100-400 L IS Mark II Keel-billed Toucan Toucan animal bird outdoor Nature Through The Lens NGC NPC coth5

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