Quetzal Feeding — Costa Rica Cloud Forest Avocado
298.93 $
A resplendent quetzal male photographed in the moment of fruit-catching in a Costa Rica cloud forest — the 60cm tail streamers in full display, the iridescent green and crimson plumage at maximum saturation in the diffuse cloud forest light.
Description
The resplendent quetzal — the sacred bird of Maya and Aztec civilisations and one of the world’s most photographically sought-after bird species — is associated with the wild avocado trees of cloud forest environments, where it swallows fruits whole and regurgitates the large seeds, making it the most important seed disperser for this tree genus. Cloud forest photography works best in the soft diffuse light of overcast conditions, and this image was made during a light drizzle at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve — the low-contrast light that makes most photography challenging is ideal for the iridescent plumage of the quetzal, whose structural colour requires specific lighting angles to achieve maximum saturation. The male’s 60cm tail streamers are fully visible against the green cloud forest background, and the crimson of the belly is at maximum saturation in the soft even light.
