We’re back at the spectacular Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica, the home for some off-the-charts birds. Up in the rainforest, the one thing you’ve gotta expect is the rain, and that’s what greeted us as we got out after our three-hour ride to the lodge. Within an hour of arrival, I was up on the deck to see what was buzzing about. Instantly had White-necked Jacobin and Green-breasted Mango, two of the regular hummer species. I knew some other secretive and rare hummers were about, so I was keeping my eyes constantly in search mode. The rain was coming down, so activity was a tad slower than normal. Then the Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer appeared, a great hummer the somewhat eluded me last year. It was dark, I mean, ISO3200 and still 1/50 dark, but the Z 6III give that high ISO no never mind, so I gave it no never mind. Then Chuck said, “Moose!!!!” and pointed below him. We had just seen a new hummer, the Violet Sabrewing (holy cow is it mind-boggling gorgeous!), so I was hoping it landed below Chuck. Rather than the seven-inch Sabrewing, it was the three-inch Crowned Woodnymph! It’s a species that I come home last year with about five not so great shots and was on the top of my list for this year. Rain be darn, I wanted that male memory forever, so I clicked even with the shutter speed taking another deep south. The cloud cover created this massive softbox bouncing light and smoothing the Woodnymph in it so all you see its magnificence! We had only about ninety minutes of shooting total as the sun was gone by 17:30, but wow, what a start. I slept well last night with dreams of that sweet three-inch wonder in the rain!

The morning flight out of MSO to DEN rarely disappoints, this morning was no exception! I boarded with the Z 6III / Z26f2.8 on a strap on my shoulder and sit with the strap over my knee for quick accessibility. Often, like this morning there is nothing looking out the window but clouds. Then we break through and I quickly grab the camera and shoot. While I try to be as good a row mate as I can be, there are times like this morning I kinda nudge the person next to me. Thank goodness Sharon is used to it, she knows what I’m up to. That AM flight view is gorgeous!