I took thousands of photos in Costa Rica this past March but this little guy, a Yellowish Flycatcher, captured my heart. He is about to lunch on a tasty moth and you can see the powder from its wings spattering through the air.
My goal was to get the bird eating the moth before either disappeared! As with most small birds, he was moving fast and the canopy made it necessary to push up shutter speed and ISO. Capturing the splatters of powder in the air leading up to the right corner was a bonus I didn't see until photo review. I used LrC for minor shadow adjustment and Topaz Photo AI to denoise and slightly sharpen. I thought the leaf next to him added an environmental touch so I left it.
Equipment: Sony a1, Sony 300mm with 2.0 TC (600mm f2.8 w/2x)
Settings: 1/1000, f9, ISO 12,800
10 comments posted
Leslie Larson
I absolutely love this one. Everything is perfect, the moss, the leaf the insect. Kudos to you for this lovely flycatcher. Posted: 07/08/2025 07:12:54
Gwen Callas-Miller
Thanks so much, Leslie! I'm glad you like it. Posted: 07/08/2025 14:07:01
Sarita Yeola
Very beautiful image. Everything that Leslie said and the catch light in the eye, makes it a perfect photo! Posted: 07/14/2025 15:15:44
Gwen Callas-Miller
Thanks Sarita. Much appreciated. Posted: 07/21/2025 20:47:10
Peter Dominowski
I would brighten up the head of the bird a bit so that more detail was visible.
Otherwise, a fantastic shot! Posted: 07/15/2025 02:36:09
Gwen Callas-Miller
Thanks Peter. I'll play around with that. Posted: 07/21/2025 20:48:30
Sherry Icardi
A superb image that shows me why he captured your heart! Everything is spot on and crystal clear! Unless my eyes are deceiving me....I think desert is located right in front of him (isn't that a bee at the base of the leaf? )
Gorgeous image Great shot. I still have not finished going through all my images from March, nesting season here in SFL interrupted my efforts. They are pretty much over, giving me more time to process! Posted: 07/15/2025 18:32:47
Gwen Callas-Miller
You're right, Sherry! A bee indeed. Thanks for your input. I still have many CR photos to process as well. And for the same reason. Posted: 07/21/2025 20:46:16
John Stumbos
Fabulous shot, Gwen. You and the other birders in this group capture some fantastic scenes. I agree with the others' comments. Posted: 07/21/2025 20:36:59
