I love this species and have photographed them on many occasions. It looks as if you had a great location to photograph them, as there are very few branches obscuring your view.
Image #3 is a real winner in your set.
bruce
You got quite close. Sometimes the wind helps with the tail. I'd like to see some that include the entire tail. It really is difficult to decide the best approach to framing these guys. Don
philshoots wrote:
Superb shots Ed. As you say this is a very difficult species to capture and the dim forest habitat ups the challenge. Outstanding set of images.
Very well done, Thank you
Phil
Thank you, Phil. Appreciate your comments.
Karl Witt wrote:
Well when things look this good on my crappy work monitor then I know I will be in for a treat when I get home on my good monitor!
Wow Ed, these shots rock and what a thrilling bird you have captured. Glorious color and form, wow congrats on accomplishing your goal Abundant color and detail, just knockouts buddy!!
Karl
Thanks, Karl. Awfully lucky to get the poses. Sometimes they tend to be more hidden.
eyelaser wrote:
Wow Ed...these are outstanding! Such great detail and obviously you had good shooting conditions to be able to shoot at iso 400...I would be over the moon with these shots! The quetzal is one of those birds I remember seeing in my first bird book when I was a small child...but for some reason the image was in black and white...go figure
Eric
Thanks, Eric. Glad I could bring it to you in living color.
MBoyd wrote:
Great shots Ed. I like the BG in 1 but I think I like the close up of 4 the best. But all are great. Thanks for sharing these beauties!
Hi, Mark. Thanks so much.
Shasoc wrote:
Congrats, Ed! What a beautiful bird and what a thrill to shoot.You did an excellent job on these. Well done and thanks for sharing
Socrate
BeeBalm wrote:
Hi Ed,
Oh so gorgeous! Love them!
BeeBalm
Thanks, Bee.
jleom wrote:
Outstanding Ed, I've always been fascinated by those beautiful birds and these are the best photos I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing.
Do they hold still enought that you could take two fotos and stitch them together to include the bird and tail?
Leo
Hi, Leo. Thanks for the comment. Doing a pano shot would probably work. What I meant by tough to shoot is more along the lines of the composition. A pano would certainly give one more options for varied crops. My biggest disappointment is blowing an opportunity for an in flight. The bird suddenly flew directly toward us to grab an avocado from a tree above me, and quickly flew off in another direction. Had a shorter lens mounted, and strapped over my shoulder, but could not react fast enough. I basically froze.
shekarn64 wrote:
Wow! Really beautiful bird. So much to see in nature out there!
Thanks so much.
bnelson wrote:
Beautiful bird Ed,love the last one.
brad
Thanks, Brad.
Plinian wrote:
Fantastic, Ed! I've been to Costa Rica a couple times, but have yet to see a Quetzal. Your set shows that the species really does live up to it's name--sumptuous colors, elegant plumage--really a thrill to see!
Greg
Thanks, Greg. Am trying to go back late fall of next year. Hope to get another chance to visit these guys. As you said, they are incredible to see. From the spiked hairdo down to the gorgeous tail. And, the colors are spectacular.
Best to all.
Ed
May 19, 2014 at 03:32 PM
Thomas Sanders Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Ed, a big congrats to you !!! The colors and details on your quetzal are just plain awesome. I like the closeups of the body showing off the plumage so well.
surfnron wrote:
Congrats on finding and shooting your goal Ed. And a great job on these too. I love both the "detail" shots and the "full tail" shots ~ Ron
Thanks very much, Ron.
canon.eos30d wrote:
Magnificent bird is displayed beautiful, Ed. You nailed them all in such a tough shooting condition in the forest. I love them all; colorful, detail, all angles are captured nicely.
- Tam
Thanks, Tam. Appreciate it.
\ birdied wrote: Gorgeous set Ed !!! So very well done.
Birdie
Thanks, Roberta.
arbitrage wrote:
Amazing shots Ed. That tail is quite the challenge but I think you handled it well and got great shots both including it and excluding it. Especially the windblown one is very nice.
TFS
Geoff
Thanks, Geoff. The wind was a nice assist. One of my favorite as well.
brimull wrote:
Stunning images of a spectacular bird! Sharp, bright, and extremely colorful.
This would have won my thread of the week .. sorry I viewed it too late for my vote. Simply fantastic bird to rival the Birds of Paradise of Papua New Guinea.
Abundant color and detail, just knockouts buddy!!
Thanks for showing us that wonderful bird!