Tim Melling: Agami Heron is one of the most beautiful and sought after species in the Neotropics. It is a rainforest species that feeds deeply shaded pools and streams so isn’t usually encountered in the wetlands where all the other herons and egrets occur. We spotted this one sitting quietly over a small woodland pool in Costa Rica in the Piedras Blancas National Park. It reached down towards the water surface intent on catching a fish then a split second later a Spectacled Caiman leapt from the water narrowly missing the heron with a snap of its jaws. The Agami Heron flew off deep into the dark forest where it would continue to elude visiting birdwatchers like it normally does.
Taken with a Nikon D7000 and an 80-400mm Nikkor lens on 400mm 1/80 f8 ISO 800
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I was lucky enough to see one of these stunners in the Pantanal in Brazil a few years ago. It is, without question, one of the best birds I’ve ever seen – like a giant kingfisher.
Superb pic