Great Kiskadee Launching from Forest Foliage at Arenal

A Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) launches almost directly toward the camera from leafy vegetation at Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica. The frontal view compresses the bird's bold black mask and white crown stripes into a bright cap above its stout bill, while the yellow belly remains visible between one wing sweeping upward and the other driving downward. A 1/2500-second shutter at f/5.6 and ISO 6400 freezes the opposing wing positions and focused face against the softly layered forest. The 50–200mm lens with MC-20 teleconverter supplied the reach for this brief natural-light take-off moment.