bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Continuing on with Ecuador birds here is one that is truly unusual. This bird, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, is one of the iconic birds of the subtropics. This bird is typically on the "must see" list of most visitors. The males of this species gather each morning and afternoon at specific locations. Often these locations have been used by the birds for decades and maybe even centuries. At these locations the males dance and call each time they come. When a female is ready to mate, she comes and surveys the dancers; when she makes her choice, they mate (about 30 seconds) and then she flies off to build the nest, lay the eggs and raiser her young by herself.
These sites, known as leks, are where most visitors see the birds. The sites are predictable so if you come (visits are usually highly regulated) you will see the birds. They may or may not be in a good location for photos.
What makes this picture unusual, at least for me, is that it was not taken at one of these lek sites. This picture was taken outside our cabin at Wildsumaco Lodge. There was a fruiting tree where the birds would come to feed each morning. The bird was so close that I could not get the entire bird in the frame. It was also impossible to get a completely clear shot, so this image focuses on the head, which is the feature most people find intriguing.
This bird was also backlit; the sunlight was coming from behind the bird. Usually this situation gives images that are less than ideal, but in this case I like the halo effect it has given to the feather crest on the top of his head.
This was shot with a Canon R5 camera, a 600 mm f/4.0 lens with a 1.4X extender giving 840 mm, handheld, at f/7.1, SS of 1/500. ISO of 2500 and EC of +.3. Cropped slightly from L and bottom to remove some distracting leaves. A branch behind the head was also cloned out.

(Download)

ashriverguy Loc: Rural Minnesota

Wow, really a nice photo under adverse conditions.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Great image. That is one beautiful bird!

will

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

Beautiful shot! Solid pp work shows! Thanx for sharing.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Beautiful bird!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Very nice.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A mindbogglingly magnificent, eye-catchingly beautiful specimen in a perfect shot 🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent shot of a beautiful bird!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

angler Loc: StHelens England

Good capture.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Thank you. I was carrying my camera with the 840 mm lens attached to drop it off in our cabin and go have a beer to finish off the day when this bird appeared not 6-7 meters away. No choice but to handhold and fire away. Took about 50 shots in 3-4 seconds and then the bird flew. Fortunately several of them turned out sharp.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

For sure. One of the unique birds of the world.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Thank you for the compliment. Sometimes you have to take what you can get; I want the image to please myself and my wife, so I have no problem with optimizing it in PS. I know others disagree, but it's my wall the prints sit on.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Thanks. Appreciate the comment. Although I take pictures for my own pleasure (one of the reasons it often takes me a long time to go back and process my images) it is nice that others sometimes agree with my choices.

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

Oh wow....what a gorgeous bird! Personally,, I love the effects of backlighting, though challenging. Beautiful photo!