bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

I sometimes have a tendency to forget my "age" limitations. That can be a good thing, but other times it gets me in trouble. While in Ecuador last summer, I spent 4 days at Zuro Loma Reserve. This is an absolutely wonderful place to photograph some of the great high altitude birds (8000 feet) that live there. One of the birds I wanted to photograph was a Green-tailed Trainbearer, a spectacular long tailed hummingbird. My friend and guide, Dario, said he knew a place where I had a good chance to see and photograph one. The only problem was that we would have walk a mile or so to get there. I was wary, but he said the spot was approximately the same altitude as Zuro Loma. I assumed that meant the walk was "flat". I was wrong-there was a 750 foot canyon (walk down and then back up) between here and there. By the time I realized my mistake it was too late. Have to realize that "flat" to a 26 year old that was born and raised at 8000' is different than a 75 year fat old man. Anyway, I did see and photograph the Green-tailed Trainbearer and will post pictures later, but this is my favorite shot from the trip. This is a Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager. Truly one of the spectacular high altitude Tanagers.

Shot with a Canon R5, 100-500 zoom lens at 324 mm, ISO 2500, SS 1/1600, f/7.1. Slight crop from L and bottom. Processed with DXO PR, PS, and Topaz DeNoise AI.

(Download)

Sakwes Loc: Peace River, Alberta, Canada

Wow! What a beautiful bird and so well represented by your photo!

Such a trip can only be a dream for me.

hettmoe Loc: Rural ND

Very nice!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Wow! Worth the walk, I think!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Outstanding! Remember the line from one of Clint Eastwood's movies, a man has to know his limitations!

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Beautifully shot.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great capture, Dreamer.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

A beautiful capture.

FrumCA

Very nice!!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent result from all that effort! At 84 and hiking in the 8000+ mountains here I can appreciate that effort.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yes, even though inside our heads we still just ourselves, we need to remember that "ourself" changes over the years.
The "Me" that once did a 12 mile forced march from a training area back to our barracks through the hills around Ft Ord, in the dark, with full combat gear at a speed that would have made a speed walker proud is not the same me that on some bad days can get sore legs or winded walking all the aisles at Sam's or Costco to see if I could sell myself something not on my list.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A spectacular, noteworthy beauty of a composition 🖤🎈🖤🎈🖤

Hasslla

Very nice, looking forward to seeing the hummer and you’re not the only one vertically challenged.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

Fabulous photograph. Well done, Indeed.