Chestnut-mandibled Toucan

[Ely Teehankee]

Ariel brought me to Tarcoles which is at sea level and a lot warmer than the high mountains of San Gerardo de Dota. After checking me in at Hotel Villa Lapaz he headed back to San Jose where he works as a manager in a telecommunications company. Everyday we would communicate by mobile phone and discuss the birds that I have seen. The hotel is strategically located where it is surrounded by forest. They have a tour they call the Skyway where a van brings you up to the forest and you walk down about 3 kilometers back to the hotel. You can do this by yourself or with a guide. The strange thing about it was that it cost the same, with or without a guide. Every morning I would wake up early and wait for the birds to come in the vicinity of the open breakfast area. The bird that I saw that morning was the Chestnut-mandible Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii) 22 inches (56 centimeters. A pair arrived and they would hop from one branch to the other. They are quite large especially the bicolored yellow and dark-brown bill which is the distinguishing feature of the bird. Although large and with a big bill they move about with a lot of grace.



Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 300mm
f/2.8L IS USM with Canon Extender 2X II.
Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, Wimberley WH200 head. Manual exposure in available light. Distance to subject 46.4 meters.



It has a red vent which makes it very attractive.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Male and female look alike but each one would have their own branch to play and preen.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Even at 46.4 meters this one would look straight at me.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Preening with its large and long beak.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




A relaxed pose with one bird looking at the other.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Here is the other bird on a nearby branch.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Its his/her turn to preen.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Looking around.
1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




They seem to have a happy face with their large bill.
1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Finally, I got one to smile for me.
1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600

[Max De Leon]

WOW!!!

[Mick Harris]

Another great series Ely

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 15, 2012 9:49:57 GMT Max De Leon said:

WOW!!!

Thank you Max. Your one word speaks loud and clear. Glad that you like it.

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 15, 2012 10:51:01 GMT Mick Harris said:

Another great series Ely

Thank you Mick. I still have a lot of birds to process in the coming days.

[Ariel Matias]

Nice series Ely. I haven't been back to this place since then. I hope to go back to this place when the weather becomes cooperative. Regards.

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 16, 2012 0:04:35 GMT Ariel Matias said:

Nice series Ely. I haven't been back to this place since then. I hope to go back to this place when the weather becomes cooperative. Regards.

Thank you again Ariel. What is the use of going now if it is raining. What month does the rain stop?

[Juan Manuel C. Del Prado]

Ely, the Toucan's color combination of yellow, black, red, and brown, plus the forest background, would be beautiful in a water-color painting. Beautiful photos, Ely.

[Max De Leon]

Aug 15, 2012 9:49:57 GMT Max De Leon said:

WOW!!!

it was really a colorful bird. just awesomely captured. as theyve already said... its like a painting.

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 16, 2012 12:25:18 GMT Juan Manuel C. Del Prado said:

Ely, the Toucan's color combination of yellow, black, red, and brown, plus the forest background, would be beautiful in a water-color painting. Beautiful photos, Ely.

Thank you Poch. Why don't you make use of your talent and start painting one for yourself. I wish I knew how to paint. Paintings would be worth a lot more than pictures. Cheers.

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 16, 2012 19:16:09 GMT Max De Leon said:

Aug 15, 2012 9:49:57 GMT Max De Leon said:

WOW!!!

it was really a colorful bird. just awesomely captured. as theyve already said... its like a painting.

Thank you for your appreciation. It is a beautiful bird. I like the natural expression of its smiling face just like a lot of ducks and geese have that look with a smile.

[Ariel Matias]

Aug 16, 2012 0:29:37 GMT Ely Teehankee said:

Aug 16, 2012 0:04:35 GMT Ariel Matias said:

Nice series Ely. I haven't been back to this place since then. I hope to go back to this place when the weather becomes cooperative. Regards.

Thank you again Ariel. What is the use of going now if it is raining. What month does the rain stop?

Hi Ely. Normally, things get better by November. I hope to go out more often when that time comes. Saludos y Pura Vida!

[Ely Teehankee]

[quote Hi Ely. Normally, things get better by November. I hope to go out more often when that time comes. Saludos y Pura Vida![/quote]

Pura Vida. Hopefully it is the same for us. I remember last year it was still raining on December. With all the rain we are having this time of the year, I hope the rainy season will also end up earlier.

[Burr Patterson, Jr.]

Thanks for Sharing!!

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 18, 2012 11:36:22 GMT Burr Patterson, Jr. said:

Thanks for Sharing!!

I always like to share the good things of our lives as it would always come back in the form of other blessings. Cheers Burr.

[Jeniel Buday]

"wow" as always... great Sir!

[Juan Manuel C. Del Prado]

Ely, I am fascinated by the colors of the Toucan.

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 21, 2012 4:04:54 GMT Jeniel Buday said:

"wow" as always... great Sir!

Thank you Jeniel. Visit our website more often and see the postings of all our members. Cheers.

[Ely Teehankee]

Aug 21, 2012 6:02:12 GMT Juan Manuel C. Del Prado said:

Ely, I am fascinated by the colors of the Toucan.

Thank you Poch. Use the first picture as your model as it has a nice red vent.

[Juan Manuel C. Del Prado]

Thank you, Ely. Now, I have your permission to use your photo(s). I intend to water-color paint 3-4 photos in one painting, and will be my gift to you, since you have been persuading me to paint. As I had told you, I stopped painting in 1987...I might be "rusty" starting off again.