Male Gartered Trogon Flying from an Arenal Perch

A male Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus) flies from its perch through a lattice of branches at Arenal Observatory Lodge, its body angled forward as it leaves the branch. The pale bill and yellow-ringed eye lead the movement toward the lower foliage while the yellow belly, iridescent blue-green breast and opened barred tail remain visible above. The guide considered the species exceptionally unusual at Arenal and said this was their first sighting at the location. A 1/4000-second exposure at f/5.6 and ISO 6400 freezes the instant of departure and the displaced tail feathers amid bright natural canopy light.