Leslie Larson
December 2024 - Emerald Toucanet, Ecuador
About the Image(s)
For me, finding a new bird, especially a large colorful one, makes my day (maybe even week).
Hiking up the hill in Baeza, Ecuador from the Kopal Cabins, we spotted this beauty right next to the trail. It was very patient while I fumbled for the camera.
If ever in Baeza, stay at these cabins. It's owned by a Dutch fellow that speaks English and his charming native family. He has built all the cabins himself and the price is a pittance. I even found a bird (Rose-breasted Grosbeak) on his property they hadn't seen before as well as a tree full of Andean Cock-of-the-Rock males.
Canon EOS 90D, f/9, 1/400, ISO 320
(Click the link below if interested in this part of Ecuador.)
https://diynaturetravel.com/ecuador-part-3/
13 comments posted
Leslie, to spot a very rare and unusual bird my bets would always be on you. This Emerald Toucanet is perfectly framed and exposure is right on. Would have liked to have it without the branch but I'm sure you only had seconds to get it at all. Wish the sky could have slightly darker. Great color, sharpness and definition of the bird. Posted: 12/09/2024 01:16:06
Actually I had plenty of time as it didn't move and I have already removed some branches. It just sat there in its tree and watched me. Maybe blinked an eye? Posted: 12/09/2024 03:42:30
This is a beautiful bird and very sharp. I think flash would have really helped the back round but it can be easily fixed some in PS Raw Filter.I do not use Lightroom. I really enjoyed the link-thanks Posted: 12/09/2024 02:12:19
I don't use Lightroom either...just camera raw and PS. Sky could be darkened if that is what you had in mind. Glad you liked the link. Posted: 12/09/2024 03:44:21
yes- Darken and saturate Posted: 12/09/2024 03:54:24
thanks Posted: 12/09/2024 03:58:28
I thought I was the only one not using Lightroom. Posted: 12/09/2024 04:00:04
Seems a redundant steep learning curve to me. My friends all use it, but I don't see their photos being any big improvement over mine. Glad to know there is one more LR scofflaw in the world of Adobe. Posted: 12/09/2024 18:05:36
Just an FYI. I don't use it either. Posted: 12/09/2024 18:09:42
Aha, 3 of us! Posted: 12/09/2024 18:33:58
You captured this rare bird well, you didn't need flash. Maybe try a sky replacement (or else just add a bit of color and darken it a bit). Posted: 12/18/2024 21:17:40
good suggestion, I'll try it. Posted: 12/19/2024 02:32:54
Good capture. I like it just as it is. That eye is tremendous! I've never seen the bird before! Posted: 12/19/2024 12:21:20