Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan

[Doug Brown]

We spent two weeks in Costa Rica but did not have much luck with toucans for the first 11 days. We arrived at our lodge on the Pacific coast only to find a mated pair of toucans hollowing out a nest in a tree about 100 feet from our room. Unfortunately, I only had 2 opportunities to photograph them. Luckily, I got a couple of good photos out of the encounters. This one was taken in the early morning. The two birds were taking turns hollowing out a tree. I have nice shots with the bill out of the tree, but I thought this told more of a story.



Canon 1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4x, f/5.6, 1/80, ISO 800, flash, tripod

[Gus Cobos]

Hey Doug,
Very nicely done. I like Mr. Personality, he has great colors and loving the action.

Congrats...:D

[Craig Markham]

Lovely image, Doug. I love these birds -- such characters, and a spine-tingling call! What part of the CR Pacific coast? Too bad there can't be a little more detail in the black, but I wouldn't ask you to compromise the perfect rendition of the colors and textures on the rest of the bird and tree. It must have been a thrill to finally get a clean siting. Congratulations!
Craig

[Brian Wong]

Hi Doug!

Look at the size of his feet! Great rich colors and sharpness, and I agree with you that this tells more of a story (including the upper vegetation).

[Arthur Morris]

Man, this is fantastic. Blacks schmax! The angles and the tension are killer. I love the curled toes, the sharpness, the nice row of oof leaves at the top, the eye, the bill, and the red undertail coverts to name just a few.

Way to go! Later and love, artie

[Linda Robbins]

Simply stunning image! Perfect exposure, details and framing. Really outstanding, Doug, Congrats!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This is very cool! Great details, exposure control and BG. Congratulations, Doug!

[Todd Frost]

Fantastic work Doug! no nits from me, beautiful colors, detail and exposure.
Todd

[Simon Bennett]

Awesome bird and image - well done Doug.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

What else can I say? everything has been said, great job Doug.

[Lance Peters]

amazing - lovley birds.

lance

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Wow Doug this is a real beauty. Absolutely gorgeous in all respects. Big congratulations on this winner !!!!

[Doug Brown]

Thanks everyone! Got lucky with this one, although I do have another Toucan photo that I'll post that I like as much or better. This is what I love about bird photography. You never know what you're going to see on any given day, particularly in a place like Costa Rica. Eleven days without a Toucan, and then you hit the proverbial jackpot.

[Glenn Bartley]

Just awesome. Great behaviour image. Nice!

[Ondrej Prosicky]

This is VERY nice!

[David Chauvin]

Seriously awesome! Congrats on a fantastic image.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Doug, did you find this toucan at Hacienda Barú? I am just curious.

Thanks everyone! Got lucky with this one, although I do have another Toucan photo that I'll post that I like as much or better. This is what I love about bird photography. You never know what you're going to see on any given day, particularly in a place like Costa Rica. Eleven days without a Toucan, and then you hit the proverbial jackpot.

[Doug Brown]

No. They were at Villa Lapas.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

No. They were at Villa Lapas.

Thanks for the info.