#birdsofcostarica

Costa Rica is home to 52 or so species of hummingbird - dwarfing the 2 we see at home on Vancouver Island. The array of colours and displays is also bewildering. The Violet Sabrewing is one of the largest species, found darting between drenched vegetation in the high altitude cloud forest region around Monteverde and the Cerro de la Muerte. I missed photographing this species on our last trip to Central America, so I was thrilled to see this individual. @monteverdebirding @monteverde_cr @descubrecostarica @visit_costarica #hummingbird #avian #avefauna #hummingbirdsofinstagram #violet #violetsabrewing #birds #birdsofcostarica #costarica #CR #centroamerica #puravida #wild #wildlife #monteverde #wildlifephotography #nature #jungle #rainforestanimals #rainforest #cloudforest #forest #intense #purple #bokeh #saveourforests #chrismilliganphoto https://www.instagram.com/p/CeAMNCkrct1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I believe this is a Blue-grey tanager and they live in Costa Rica. I loved its colors. I really struggled here with the composition though - I added in the monstera leaves without an actual reference and it was kinda hard layering the leaves in pencil, much less painting. I may do another version another time. I wish I could be satisfied with empty backgrounds sometimes! I’m learning much though ( I hope). #blue-greytanager, #bluegreytanager #birdsinwatercolor #birdpainting #birdsofcostarica #watercolor #birdillustration #archeswatercolorpaper #watercolorcomposition #watercolorskills #natureart #naturepainting #monsteraleaves #monsteraart #artofinstagram #instaart #instawatercolor #paintingtheskykingdom #myartwork #apaintingaday https://www.instagram.com/p/COL2u7xDo0D/?igshid=1lxjlhvv3u59c

Guess who? Our #birdoftheweek is pretty slick — if you can catch a glimpse of it. Comment to name the species. We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow! Hint: #tropicalturkey #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #bird #birdsofecuador #birdsofcostarica #birdsofmexico #birdsofcozumel #funnyfaces #weirdanimals #weirdandwonderful #feathers #featheredfriends #faces #birdfaces #birdwatching #birding #nature #wildlifephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotographer #naturephotography

Red-capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) We saw this ball of birb in the wilds of the Osa Peninsula on a recent trip to Costa Rica. My guide book describes them as a small woodland bird with a “wide base” which is just an incredibly polite way to call them chubby. In spite of their wide base they have some nimble dance moves. Swipe to see a video of the famous manakin moonwalk. #manakin #widebase #osapeninsula #costarica #ecotourism #travelbuddy #joeandsarahart . . . . #felt #needlefelting #craft #soft #round #cute #sculpture #woolart #ooak #handmade #artistsoninstagram #birdwatching #bird #birdsofcostarica #lifelist #naturephotography #conservation #rainforest #travel #travelingartist #artoutside (at Osa peninsula)

White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis) This sharp dressed Costa Rican fellow uses monkey minions to scare up prey out of the jungle and is not to be confused with the name of a hair band from the 80's. #whitehawk #costarica #birdofprey #felting #joeandsarahart #fiberart #birbs #monkeys #birdsofcostarica #heavymetalbird

Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum) Its not exactly clear how they get their racket tails but there is a great story that when the King Vulture was creating the world the lazy motmot hid in a hole and other jealous birds plucked his tail feathers while he slept. #motmot #birdsofcostarica #birbs #needlefelting #kingvulture

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) This is the unicorn of Monteverdi's Cloud Forest. His majestic elegance is abruptly broken by his unmusical "giggle" song. #quetzal #cloudforest #birdsofcostarica #felting #joeandsarahart #mahteeka #needlefelting

White-fronted nunbird (Monasa Morpheus) This puff ball is a member of the puffbird family, a family of large headed, stout and puffy-looking birds. #nunbird#puffbird #felting #birdsofcostarica #joeandsarahart