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Violet-crowned Woodnymph Above Bathing Pool C-RICA SER 2
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Violet-crowned Woodnymph Above Bathing Pool C-RICA SER 2 (Thalurania colombica colombica)

On this third trip to Costa Rica, I observed several species of hummingbirds bathing, surprise observations for me. This photo and photos of other species bathing (in this case, about to bathe) were taken under difficult circumstances. The birds go to bathe late in the day. I stood on a platform at the heavily forested upper rim of a 15-20 m deep gorge with a small fast-flowing stream with quiet pools (where the birds bathed) at the bottom. It was very dark at the bottom, necessitating use of flash with a beam narrowed and intensified by a Visual Echoes beam narrower. The resultant photographic quality is poor, but I upload these photos to document a form of hummingbird behavior that is unfamiliar to most birders. Under these lighting conditions, the crown does not appear violet.
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Habitat
Stream in gorge shaded by secondary moist forest
Location
Rancho Naturalista near Turrialba, Costa Rica
Date taken
2 December 2015
Scientific name
Thalurania colombica colombica
Equipment used
Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 500 mm II f/4 + 1.4x w Speedlite 580EXII fitted with a Visual Echoes beam narrower
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Another great picture you've got of this rarely recorded behaviour. Sadly I don't understand all the techie talk Ronald, but that doesn't stop me appreciating the work that's gone into getting this shot.

Very well done lad, and thanks for sharing it with us.
 
KC Foggin
Supporter
This is one helluva image!! So beautifully captured. I am in complete awe/
 
bajadreamer
It does not always have to be a great photo to tell a great story. Your other bird photos recently demonstrate great technique and equipment so merely getting these great "story telling" photos under less than optimal conditions is to be commended.
 

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Category
Central & South America & Mexico
Added by
rdavis
Date added
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