There were so many things I didn’t expect about the first encounter with an Andean Cock-of-the-rock.
I’ve been on several birding tours, but this was my first tour focused on bird photography. A 15-passenger van packed with photographers, spouses, a few hard-core birders, a driver, bird guide, and tour leader photographer and gear pulled up to a small building on a farm. A longish hike across farmland and hillsides brought us to the lek. Not on the ground but up in the trees – supposedly. A blind stretched around a hillside for about 80 feet, about 6 to 8 feet in depth. Waiting, no birds. Then there were males calling, but none coming into view. Then glimpses through holes in branches and leaves. Desire to see lifers, desire to capture a photo (any photo), many people few birds in the canopy. Thankfully, most people were courteous. I diched my tripod to squeeze into places where others couldn’t go in the blind. Towards the end of our time, some birds approached closer and gave some good views.
I found the light through their feathers and their glistening, almost gelatinous eyes memorable.
- Created Timestamp08/05/2023 21:09:26
- CameraCanon EOS R5
- Aperture4
- CreditSteve Zehner
- CopyrightSteve Zehner steve_dontwant@hotmail.com
- Focal Length500
- Iso2000
- Shutter Speed1/400
Such an intriguing and yet confusing image! I love it!
Also love the narrative.