The Prince

Another full and fun day in the rain forest.  We started at 5:30 as the sun was coming up, photographing toucans and tanagers and other tropical birds.  After breakfast, we headed out to the vulture hides for Black and King vultures (and Caracara falcons).  There were at least 7 King Vultures of varying ages and many more Black Vultures.  The King Vultures are rather spectacular.  In addition to being much larger than the other vultures, the adults have these amazing colorful heads with a waddle of flesh over the beak.  Like many large raptors, it takes them 5 years to reach sexual maturity and the sub-adults can be aged based on plumage.  

The vulture in focus (on the left) is a first-year bird, still mostly black with only a few white specks on its body.  The face is also primarily black with just some hints of color showing on the throat and beak.  On the right, slightly out of focus, is an adult vulture.  The adults face is full of bright colors and its body is white with black trim on the wings.  A very handsome bird in my opinion.  

A full body shot in Extra of a 4th year bird.  

We spent some of the afternoon at the lodge photographing Titrya (two different species) before heading to a local home to photograph Royal Flycatchers.  After a full day of photography, Hilly and Suzanne and I retired to a deck outside our rooms and had some wine while the sun set.  Be sure to check both their blips a little later this evening!

Tomorrow will be more of the same, capped off by a night session with nectar bats and multi-flash.  Stay tuned.  

I've gone 3 days now without anything dark.  I may be going through withdrawal!

xo
Debbi