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Los 2 Corazones Nature Reserve, Nanegalito (2026)

27/10/2024

The little teasers of the tropics.

Coquettes have always held a special place in my heart; these tiny Lophornis hummingbirds that seem more like living jewels than mere birds. Weighing just a few grams, they're so delicate that it feels almost unreal when I see one. The males, with their flamboyant crests and shimmering tufts, seem as if nature crafted them in a moment of playful extravagance—each feather arranged with care as if to say, "Look at me, but only if you're lucky enough."

I've spent countless hours chasing glimpses of them, knowing full well how elusive they can be. Their flight is a blur, so insect-like that I've often mistaken them for chunky bees. But that's part of their magic, isn't it? They blend in with the world around them, slipping in and out of flower patches like whispers. Even when they're there, they're gone.

The thrill of finding a coquette is heightened by their unpredictability. These birds don't follow a map; they follow the flowers, wherever they might be blooming. It's as if they're playing a game of hide-and-seek with the world, and I'm always the seeker, hoping for just one more look, one more photograph.

In those rare moments when I've captured the Spangled, the Rufous-crested, or the Tufted coquette in my lens, it feels like an intimate exchange, a quiet, fleeting connection with something truly wondrous.

Here, two male Rufous-crested coquettes (Lophornis delattrei) are visiting a Heliconia psittacorum flower at the Wakanki Lodge in Northern Peru.

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Canon 1D Mark IV, 100-400 IS L Lens 1/250 f20 ISO 250, Multiflash technique.

19/10/2024

The Tiny Dynamo of Peru.

The male Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) weighs a mere 3 grams (0.10 ounces). Yet, within its tiny frame, it displays a stunning display of nature's grandeur.

Its tail, adorned with two elongated, iridescent feathers ending in striking blue-black "rackets," defies physics and evolution's expectations. What makes this even more extraordinary is the male's ability to control these racket-shaped feathers independently, flicking them in an elegant dance as he courts a mate.

Maintaining such a remarkable form is a constant battle for this hummingbird. It must incessantly consume energy not only to sustain its body but also to preserve the brilliance of its feathers—the vibrant crown, the shimmering gorget, and the elegant tail. Each wingbeat proves its resilience as this rare hummingbird fights for survival in its diminishing forest habitat.

This bird's delicate beauty poignantly reminds us of nature's fragility. Its rarity—fewer than 1,000 individuals remain in the wild—starkly emphasizes the delicate balance of life for species that rely on shrinking ecosystems.

Please admire the minute detail of the racket shed in the prior season.
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Canon 1D Mark IV, 600 f.4 IS L lens, 1/250 f3 ISO 800. Huembo Lodge, Northern Peru.

12/10/2024

The Grandfather Sylph.

There's something magical about watching a hummingbird dance in the air, especially when it's one like "The Grandfather." I gave him that name because he captivated me as I sat at a quiet lodge in Peru with his long, iridescent tail shimmering in the sunlight.

He wasn't just any Long-tailed sylph; his tail was the longest, the most vibrant, the most sparkling. I imagined the females in the area being drawn to him, choosing him for the beauty of that tail, hoping to pass on his strength, vibrance, and "good" genes.

Like young challengers, other males fluttered nearby, their tails shorter and less radiant. But this one—he felt like the leader, the progenitor, the patriarch. The way a silverback gorilla stands at the head of his family. It was as if he ruled this corner of the forest.

Observing him, I was struck by the profound humility that the silent narratives of the wild inspire, where beauty isn't just for admiration but a tool for survival.

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Canon 1D Mark IV. 1/200 f8, ISO 500, ff -2 Abra Patricia, Peru.

04/10/2024

The Amazonian Hummingbird

The Gould's Jewelfront (Heliodoxa aurescens) is a handsome hummingbird. It is almost entirely green except for the rufous chest and the blue frontlet.

It is named in honor of John Gould, a renowned British ornithologist who immortalized many new species of hummingbirds through his exquisite prints. His works, known for their meticulous detail and breathtaking beauty, continue to inspire bird enthusiasts and artists alike.

In his plates, he used the lithographic technique. In this arduous process, the sketches transferred from an engraved stone were hand-colored on paper one by one. He invented many ways to accurately depict the colors of the birds, especially the challenging goal of obtaining feather iridescence.

The main threat to this hummingbird's survival is the loss of habitat due to deforestation. The recent wildfires in the Amazon basin are a reminder of how fragile that environment is.
Will our great-grandchildren enjoy seeing these creatures alive and accessible as part of a healthy population? Or they only will be available as dissected cadavers at a natural science museum?

The answer may depend on our current attitude.

The picture was taken at the Wakanki Lodge in northern Ecuador. The flower that the hummingbird is visiting is the Sanchezia speciosa.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III. 100-400 IS L Lens 1/160 f18 ISO 320, Multiflash Technique.

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28/09/2024

The Spear Bearer
Aguas Verdes, Northern Peru

The green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae) is named for its characteristic long, straight, and pointed bill.

The green patch on the forehead is not big and, at times, is difficult to see, especially on the females. Its habitat is on the middle strata and lower canopy of a humid forest full of epiphyte plants. It is not globally threatened and tolerates some disturbance caused by selective logging.

This hummingbird is broadly distributed from Costa Rica to Bolivia but is uncommon in that wide range. The best chance to find it is by looking around ravines or creeks, as it loves to be close to running water.

The female typically fabricates the nest hanging on a rock or a vine overlooking a stream. It is a trapliner, meaning it does not usually defend a single patch of flowers but instead travels a route of previously chosen high-rewarding plants to collect nectar from their deep corollas. But in this case, the hummingbird is interested in visiting the flower of Psychotria elata, affectionately called Hooker's Lips or the Hot Lips flower.

The feminine generic name "Doryfera" is composed of the Greek words "doru," meaning 'spear,' and "pherō," meaning 'that carries.' The species name "ludovicae" commemorates Louise Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, wife of the French zoologist Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (in modern Latin, Ludovicia = Louise).

At Aguas Verdes, a small village in northern Peru 76 km from the city of Rioja, 16 different species of hummingbirds have been recorded.

Canon 5D Mark II, 200-400 IS L lens 1/160 f 18 ISO 200 Multiflash technique.

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23/09/2024

Heliconias, friends of Hermits
Wakanki Lodge, Moyobamba, Peru

Heliconias are plants synonymous with low- and mid-elevation humid tropical forests, almost exclusively in Central and South America.

With their vibrant, eye-catching bracts, heliconias are not just a sight to behold in the understory. They play a unique and crucial role in the survival of hummingbirds, especially the hermits, who have evolved beaks that perfectly match the curvature of these flowers, forming a fascinating relationship.

Heliconia flowers are rich in nectar. The hermits also use the leaves for nesting. The cone-like nests are usually located at the end and underside of the large, elongated leaves, where they are quite camouflaged and protected from the rain.
The heliconia's large waxy bracts collect water and create ecosystems of tiny invertebrates, such as mosquitos or spiders, that can provide the protein needed by the hummingbird's nourishment.

A long-tailed hermit (Phaethornis supercilliosus) is visiting a Heliconia rostrata here.
Long-tailed hermits are trap-line feeders. They do not defend territories like regular hummingbirds. They visit seasonal flowers on routes through the forest up to one kilometer long.

Canon 1D Mark IV, 100-400 IS L Lens, 1/250 f 20 ISO 250 Multiflash technique.

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16/09/2024

Grey-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis).

The sabrewings are large hummingbirds of low elevations. The Gray-breasted one lives in a large territory corresponding to the Amazon River basin.

The shafts of the male's sabrewings two outermost primary flight feathers are thickened, flattened, and bent at an angle producing a distinctive feature that gives them their English and scientific names (Greek kampylos, "bent," and pteron, "wing").

The Grey-breasted Sabrewing, as seen here, is a large hummingbird with unique features. It is plain gray below and iridescent green above, with a sizeable dark tail and white tips. Its fairly heavy, slightly dropped bill and a white spot behind the eye add to its distinctiveness. This large hummingbird is a fascinating sight in the humid forests and semi-open habitats of Amazonia, foraging at low to mid-levels.

This picture was taken at The Wakanki Lodge near Moyobamba in Northern Peru.

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Canon 1D Mark III, 100-400 IS L lens 1/200 f 21 Multiflash technique.

07/09/2024

Hummingbirds and a pleasant blur.

In hummingbird photography, blurring the wings while keeping the body sharp, especially the eye, is a powerful tool that conveys a delightful feeling of motion. Using a regular camera with shutter speeds of 1/160, we can obtain a sharp body and a pleasant blur of the wings. But how is this possible?

Hummingbirds are the only animals capable of mid-air hovering at rapid wing-flapping rates. Their wing-flapping frequencies vary from around 12 beats per second in the largest species to more than 80 in some of the smallest. This incredible feat is made possible by the unique composition of their pectoral muscles, which are 100% of the red type, unlike the "white meat" muscle fibers found in chicken and turkeys.

The pectoralis muscle of a hummingbird is composed exclusively of fast oxidative-glycolytic fibers (type IIa), with giant mitochondria occupying ∼50% of the total volume, thus the red color.

Hummingbirds boast some of the highest known mass-specific metabolic rates among vertebrates. They oxidize sugar and fatty acids at remarkable rates to meet their high ATP requirements. This metabolic prowess is crucial for their survival; if hummingbirds were smaller, they would struggle to cool their hyperkinetic bodies and could even risk spontaneous combustion.

Here, we have captured the Golden-tailed Sapphire visiting a heliconia flower. The blur of the wings contrasts beautifully with the sharp face, giving us intimate eye contact. This picture was taken at the Wakanki Lodge, a picturesque location near the city of Tarapoto in northern Peru.

Canon EOS D Mark III, Canon 600 IS L Lens 1/160 f 6.3 ISO 800 Fill Flash -2 October 2014.

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31/08/2024

"Nature's Couture: The Jewel Masterpieces of Hummingbird Feathers"

Have you ever paused to imagine the intricate beauty of a hummingbird's feathers? Consider the male Fork-tailed Woodnymph, depicted here—his chest is a dazzling display of green, like a perfect arrangement of shimmering sequins on the fanciest of dresses. Each feather is meticulously placed, creating a symmetry that could make any fashion designer green with envy. It's as if nature had adorned this tiny jewel with the finest emeralds.

But it doesn't stop there! Think about the Violet-crowned Woodnymph, where the crown glows like a polished amethyst under the sun in the dense rainforests of South America. Or the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, with a throat that blazes like a tiny fire, a perfect contrast against its iridescent green back as it flits among the flowers of the eastern United States. These birds are not just survivors in a tough world—they are living, breathing works of art, as though each one stepped straight off a runway designed by Mother Nature herself.

Every time I capture one of these magnificent creatures through my lens, I'm reminded that even in the smallest corners of our world, there's a masterpiece waiting to be discovered.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon f4 L Lens + 2TC 1/320 f9 ISO 800 Wakanki Lodge, Northern Peru.

Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to appreciate these marvels of nature. Your comments and thoughts are always welcomed and appreciated.

24/08/2024

The Gorget of Male Hummingbirds: A Shimmering Armor of Attraction

The term "gorget" originates in the Latin word gorga, meaning throat, and was later adapted into Old French as gorgete. In medieval times, a gorget was a piece of armor designed to protect the throat. This crucial area housed vital structures such as the jugular vein, the carotid artery and the windpipe. Knights and soldiers wore this protective gear to shield themselves from fatal blows to the neck during battle.

It's truly captivating how the term 'gorget' has transitioned from its original meaning in medieval times to describe a unique feature in the natural world, particularly in male hummingbirds. The gorget in these birds, a stunning patch of iridescent feathers on their throats, is a far cry from the piece of armor designed to protect the throat. Unlike ordinary feathers that gain color from pigments, these specialized feathers owe their dazzling hues to microscopic structures that refract light, creating vivid, jewel-like flashes of color.

The gorget's iridescence is not just a visual treat but a crucial tool in the life of a male hummingbird. This shimmering feature is a key player in courtship displays, captivating the attention of potential mates. Equally fascinating, it can also signal aggression, with the male using the sudden burst of color to establish dominance or intimidate rivals.

A male hummingbird's gorget is a contemporary equivalent of the medieval knight's armor—a stunning yet functional adaptation. It enhances the bird's chances of survival and success in the competitive world of hummingbirds, leaving us in awe of nature's evolutionary prowess.

In this picture, the male Fawn-breasted Brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides) proudly displays his calling card, a glittering rose pink gorget, as if to say, "I am full of testosterone!"

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17/08/2024

Of birders and bird photographers.
The Owlet Lodge, Northern Peru

I traveled several times to this birding lodge in northwest Peru, hoping to photograph the Emerald-bellied Puffleg (Eriocnemis aline). This time, I was lucky, and this male was visiting the hummingbird feeder next to the main house.

It was a matter of placing a small diagonal stick next to the feeder to function as perch. Obtaining a clean, out-of-focus background and a sharp focus with the bird in focus was easy. The overcast day provided a flattering light that wrapped the bird, emphasizing his body's glittering green. I saw the characteristic white patch on the upper chest, the adorable woolly white puffs at the ankles, the delicate feet, and the forked tail. I waited until he gave me eye contact, and that was it. I had hoped for a more photogenic or unusual pose. Still, he was happy looking around, periodically visiting the feeder and protecting his perch.

That night at the communal restaurant, I reviewed the pictures and created a backup of the best files when I heard the birders. Their animated chatting was infectious; their enthusiastic screams of joy documenting the findings of the day's trove. They were having fun. One lively discussion was arguing about seeing or not seeing the Black-eared Hemispingus versus the Black-capped Hemispingus. (I didn't know that there was a bird called Hemispingus). Boasting about how many "Lifers" they had acquired that day and swearing about missing that "nemesis" bird again. I was amused.

Pouring on their bird guides for intricate details about coloration, size, calls, songs, s*x, molting, immaturity, migration, distribution, and habitat was an extreme minutia exercise. I thought I was a hummingbird fanatic, but these guys were obsessed with all birds.

When dinner was ready, I asked if I could sit with them. They were polite, but I started on the wrong foot when I blurted my question if they were bird-watchers; by their facial expressions, I realized how insulted they felt, promptly clarifying to me that they were birders, not bird-watchers "We don't look at birds, we look for them." When I mentioned that I was a bird photographer, they looked at me benevolently as If I was a just plain uneducated mortal entirely below the avian Illuminati.

The next day before daylight, with their boots, binoculars, a packed lunch, and boundless energy, they were ready for more hikes, more challenges of further additions to their life lists.
I pondered that even with different hobbies or avocations, we both could help conserve the birds we love and admire. They, with their civilized stalking instincts, and me, hoping to obtain an artistic (more than just a documentary) picture.

It is not just having transient moments of joy and satisfaction but also our efforts to visit these remote areas and then educate others; we could support local ecotourism, and most importantly, contribute to the critical awareness of protecting wildlife and its fragile ecosystems.

Canon 1D Mark IV 600 IS L f4 Lens + 1.4 TC 1/250 f8 ISO 800 Fill Flash at -2
Thank you for looking; all comments are appreciated.

Los 2 Corazones Nature Reserve

27/10/2024

19/10/2024

12/10/2024

04/10/2024

28/09/2024

23/09/2024

16/09/2024

07/09/2024

31/08/2024

24/08/2024

17/08/2024

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