Costa Rica ~ Resplendent Quetzal

How to find a Quetzal?

 

Look for the flocks of excited birders with all the large scopes pointed to the closest wild avocado tree then look up quickly before the camera shy bird flies off! Birders flock from around the globe to see this spectacular bird in the cloud forests of Costa Rica.  Considered sacred by the Aztecs and Mayas this bird was viewed as the ‘God of the Air’. In Guatemala it is the national bird with the currency even named after it.  When we actually saw this bird we understood why.

It is stunningly beautiful and a rare sight to behold as it is very illusive. Unlike the Macaw it does not introduce itself loudly as it comes into view.  Seeing the Quetzal was our reward for braving the cold of the cloud forests in Monteverde and Savegre. 

In Monteverde we were hiking by ourselves and Janet saw a flash in the canopy above, Wow! A male Quetzal landed on a branch directly in front of us and watched us watch him for several minutes. A private viewing! We snapped a few photos and off he went. We were in birders’ heaven.

Once is never enough so when we heard there might be more Quetzals in another cloud forest in Savegre we didn’t hesitate.  We arrived and found ourselves in birders’ Mecca. This time we shared the moment with several fellow well equipped birders. High powered scopes and long camera lenses surrounded us but alas we had the winning camera. 

 

Placing our small point and shoot lens over the high powered scope we got the winning photo of the day! Size counts and this time small and lightweight won out.