Clay-colored Thrush Hovering Above a White-necked Jacobin

Costa Rica's national bird holds briefly above a narrow perch with wings folded into the downstroke while a male White-necked Jacobin faces downward below at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa in Costa Rica. This warm brown thrush is Costa Rica's national bird, chosen in recognition of its familiar song around homes and gardens. The exposure of 1/4000 sec, f/5.6 and ISO 4000 freezes the decisive body position and separates the principal wing and tail feathers while retaining only fine traces of motion at the fastest edges; the photograph was made in natural light without flash.