Food-catching Game

[Ariel Matias]

During my recent trip to Unibersidad La Paz with Ely Teehankee., we saw this Fiery-billed Aracari feeding on a fruiting tree just beside the entrance. I noticed that after plucking the fruit from the tree, the bird tosses it in the air and catches it with its beak, instead of swallowing it directly.

I positioned myself and waited patiently for that moment. I took some series of shots during the two-minute period until the bird stopped and flew away. I’m glad I came out with this picture.

EOS 7D+400mm f/5.6L lens, 1/640s, f/8.0 ISO 400, Manfrotto+Gimbal Head

[Ely Teehankee]

Perfect timing and worth the wait with a capture like this. Look at all the fruits, there is so much that the birds don't have to fight for it. What more with so many trees like that, the bird population keeps on growing. Truly this is what it takes to make it a birder's paradise. Well done Ariel & Mabuhay.

[Ariel Matias]

Thanks Ely. I still haven't finished processing all the pictures we took together. It was a lot! Will post some soon from Dr. Skutch's place.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Just beautiful, Ariel.