Thank you so much, Maja! I wasn’t sure I’d reach that milestone on that trip, but Colombia was sure a great place for it. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos—birds are just so beautiful I just want to do them justice.
Wonderful memoir, Kelly. Knowing that you were practically knocked out with illness, yet still able to appreciate the beauty of the birds--and of your companions--makes the account all the more poignant. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Dan! The illness definitely added an unexpected element to the trip—I’m just so glad it didn’t keep any of us down. I think being surrounded by so many amazing birds helped!
I'll be there Jan-March. I'm recovering from knee replacement so hopefully will be ready for action by then. It'll be nice to escape the grey of the Pacific Northwest winter. It will be a 3 month nature quest!
Ya had me on the edge of my seat! So neat that these people cared about your life list. Sorry you were sick - but spring birding season alone and then your trip on top of it - I'd say you were probably running out of gas. Enjoyed all the lovely new birds you got to see!
It was pretty neat! We were all rooting for one another and I was one of many that reached milestones on the trip (including 2 others that reached 1000)! And I think you’re right Barbi about running out of gas. It was only a matter of time! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about it!
Could you remind us what lenses/cameras you're using for these photos? Especially first thing in the morning. Was the light challenging for the Andean cock of the rock?
I'm using an OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 150-400 mm f4.5 TC 1.25x pro lens. I love it because it's comparatively lightweight for the reach, and having f4.5 through the full zoom range is so helpful. The light was definitely challenging for the Andean Cock of the rock! That image was shot handheld at 1/10th sec! 😅
Great taste! I have an OM-1 also. I see the 150-400 somewhere in my future, but for now I mainly use the OM 150-600mm for birding. I had an Olympus 100-400 but sold it and will be buying an OM 100-400 mk2 for that sweet sweet stabilization. I started out with and still sometimes use an Olympus 40-150 F2.8 with teleconverters. I use it mainly for butterflies and other near macro nowadays, or if I'm going to be walking about all day on vacation and wildlife photos is not the main goal for the day.
Oh nice! I also have the Olympus 40-150 f2.8 with the additional teleconverters. That’s usually what I bring with me when traveling b/c it’s a heck of a lot lighter and also much less conspicuous. But I just couldn’t bear leaving my big lens home for the trip to Colombia.
Oh my god, that Ruby Topaz. I NEED to see that in my life. Maybe my favorite of all the amazing birds you've shared.
And holy shit do I need to get to Colombia. I mean duh. But yeah, after reading these posts... next big birding destination for sure.
You definitely need to go, Nate! But also, prepare to have your head explode. I’m still coming to grips with everything we experienced.
Ruby topaz tops my list as well!
They are stunning!!!
Enjoyed seeing via this post, so many birds I wouldn't otherwise get to see! Thank you for sharing !
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Sheryl!
Incredible. So enjoyed your descriptions. And the photos! I feel like I was tight there. Magnificent. ❤️
I’m so glad I could bring you along on that journey, Susan!
Thank you for your beautiful bird posts! They are wonderful in and of themselves, but offer such a needed antidote to the on going human drama.
Wow, Kelly, congratulations on 1000 birds! Thanks for sharing your adventures in Columbia and all these BEAUTIFUL photos!
Thank you so much, Maja! I wasn’t sure I’d reach that milestone on that trip, but Colombia was sure a great place for it. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos—birds are just so beautiful I just want to do them justice.
Wonderful memoir, Kelly. Knowing that you were practically knocked out with illness, yet still able to appreciate the beauty of the birds--and of your companions--makes the account all the more poignant. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Dan! The illness definitely added an unexpected element to the trip—I’m just so glad it didn’t keep any of us down. I think being surrounded by so many amazing birds helped!
Wow, what a trip - thanks for sharing it with us. There's no way I could pick a favorite bird, they are all amazing!
They sure were! We had to come up with our top 5 by the end. While I created that list, I think it’s changed every day since!
Those tanagers are insane. And that Ruby Topez - WOW! So inspiring, thank you! Sorry you were sick, though :-(
The tanagers are really something else, Karen! Have you made any more definitive plans to get to Colombia yet?
No, it's still in the incubation(!) phase. First up is an extended trip to Tasmania and New Zealand :-)
Wow—what a dream, Karen! I can’t wait to read all about it!
Well that sounds absolutely amazing! When are you going?
I'll be there Jan-March. I'm recovering from knee replacement so hopefully will be ready for action by then. It'll be nice to escape the grey of the Pacific Northwest winter. It will be a 3 month nature quest!
Ya had me on the edge of my seat! So neat that these people cared about your life list. Sorry you were sick - but spring birding season alone and then your trip on top of it - I'd say you were probably running out of gas. Enjoyed all the lovely new birds you got to see!
It was pretty neat! We were all rooting for one another and I was one of many that reached milestones on the trip (including 2 others that reached 1000)! And I think you’re right Barbi about running out of gas. It was only a matter of time! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about it!
Well, what a beautiful conclusion to the trip. And I'm glad the head cold didn't get you down too bad! Now, let's plan a trip to Ecuador :)
YESSSS!!!!!
Could you remind us what lenses/cameras you're using for these photos? Especially first thing in the morning. Was the light challenging for the Andean cock of the rock?
I'm using an OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 150-400 mm f4.5 TC 1.25x pro lens. I love it because it's comparatively lightweight for the reach, and having f4.5 through the full zoom range is so helpful. The light was definitely challenging for the Andean Cock of the rock! That image was shot handheld at 1/10th sec! 😅
The bokeh in these photos is soo nice!
Great taste! I have an OM-1 also. I see the 150-400 somewhere in my future, but for now I mainly use the OM 150-600mm for birding. I had an Olympus 100-400 but sold it and will be buying an OM 100-400 mk2 for that sweet sweet stabilization. I started out with and still sometimes use an Olympus 40-150 F2.8 with teleconverters. I use it mainly for butterflies and other near macro nowadays, or if I'm going to be walking about all day on vacation and wildlife photos is not the main goal for the day.
Oh nice! I also have the Olympus 40-150 f2.8 with the additional teleconverters. That’s usually what I bring with me when traveling b/c it’s a heck of a lot lighter and also much less conspicuous. But I just couldn’t bear leaving my big lens home for the trip to Colombia.
Totally makes sense. You certainly took amazing photos. Hopefully you didn't feel too self conscious when carrying it about but not using it.
Thankfully I was just one of many hauling around a camera on this trip so I blended right in!
I love that you included songs.
You know how much I love bird songs, Judy! I’m so glad you enjoyed them ❤️
Fabulous, gorgeous birds, thanks for sharing
You're very welcome!
Surreal! Thank you for sharing this experience so well
You’re so welcome, Dave! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it!
Mega-❤️!
Thank you, Bryan! It was a trip of a lifetime 💜