Resplendent Quetzal

As our van pulled up to Monteverde in Costa Rica, the driver told us that he'd heard the Quetzal was here.  Of course my camera was packed and at the bottom of a pile of luggage.  Still I was able to throw together something quickly and go out to the back deck of the restaurant where the Quetzal likes to hang around.  It was a nice introduction to the place, and a good bird to get within the first few minute of our arrival.

One thing that worked out well.  For this trip I only took my new 200-500mm lens instead of the larger 600mm.  The small flash that is built into the D800 was adequate for some light fill flash for this shot.  If I'd had the 600mm, the lens is so big that it blocks the flash.  The smaller lens is much easier to travel with both on the plane, and while hiking through the jungle.   It is also much easier to hand hold. There were only a few times that I wish I'd brought the big lens, but I probably made up for that with all of the birds that were "too close" (like this one) that I was able zoom out on and still get, which can't be done with the 600mm.

D800
200-500mm @ 380mm
1/60
f6.3
iso 200 (?)