I have many images of Resplendent Quetzals taken in Costa Rica over the years. Many of these images show the incredible colors of this bird from better angles, closer to the lens, and in better light, but for some reason though, I like this one. To me it shows the environment which often leads to the challenges in photographing this bird. Even though this bird is incredibly colorful, they can be difficult to see. They like rainy, cloudy, even foggy days to venture out (a guide told me that sunny light makes them very visible to hawks). The perches they choose are usually very hidden and busy.
This shot was taken handheld in the rain from a distance of about 50 meters. I was on a hill overlooking this tree, so the bird was only slightly higher than my camera. Processed in PS, some branches that were intersecting with the body of the bird were cloned out, BG was brought down slightly and entire image was DeHazed.
The Quetzal pic is quite striking! I, too, enjoy looking at the habitat and the bird fits perfectly in the image. Well done!
Love the hair style!
I like the magical mystical quality of this one, and it seems to me to have a more interesting composition than the second one.
Gorgeous picture.
Lovely bird!