Resplendent Quetzal taking flight

[Doug Brown]

Here's one of my favorite image from my most recent photo tour in Costa Rica. We located a pair of Quetzals that were feeding in a large tree. There happened to be a small dirt path carved into the hillside adjacent to the tree, and when we hiked up the path a ways, we were at eye level with the Quetzals. This image shows the male stretching his wings as he was about to take flight. I got lucky with the DOF at f/5.6. Hopefully we'll get looks like this on next year's trip!

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/photos/296334595_kFuLJ-O.jpg

Canon 1D Mark III, 500mm, f/5.6, 1/300, ISO 800, -1/3 EC, fill flash, monopod (sitting on my butt on the side of a hill to try to get a clean look ;))

[Juan Aragonés]

Wow, stunning pose Doug and very sharp result. I would try to work on the eye to avoid the effect of the flash. Too bad the tip of the wings is hidden by the branch. Very good composition BTW.

[Jim Fenton]

The wing tip hidden doesn't bother me and the only tiny nit is the eye.

Other than that, it's a great bimage which I'd be rather happy to have captured.

[Milo Burcham]

Great pose of a spectacular bird. Getting eye level shots of these with nice backgrounds is not easy. The curved tail feathers look great

[Krijn Trimbos]

Apart from the red eye, which is easy enough to fix I am green of envy! Love the pose, perch, and the sharpness looks good as well. Excellent shot, did I mention I think this is the most beautiful bird on the planet!

[Brian Wong]

Hi Doug!

Congratulations on your favorite image! I like how you have the complete tail, and that it is in focus with the bird! I agree with Juan, and I think the curve adds to the composition. Very nice, and I would love to see one someday.

[Julie Kenward]

What's not to love? From the curve of the tail to the angle of the wings...it's all good.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Wow Doug!
I can see why it's your favorite. The colors are just WOW! Wish for the whole wing.........but tail curve puts this over the top!

[Arthur Morris]

A truly wonderful image of a great bird. The colors and sharpness are amazing. In addition to the above, the darker area behind the head bugs me a bit as does the little white thingie (drop of water) on the moss directly below the foot that is visible. Easy to lose the latter. Also ditto what Juan said.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Doug,
NIce job of capturing detail and the shimmer of those feathers. Tail feather angle is a nice touch as well.
Steve

[Simon Bennett]

Superb image Doug - the semi-circular arc of bird and tail is most interesting.