Friday, March 19, 2010

Shadow Shot Sunday 51 - Monteverde CR



















Here is a shadow shot quiz for you this week to see if you can work out the object that is throwing the shadows in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Here is a little more of the top....















Have you managed to figure it out yet?? Well here are the delightful little creatures who alight and visit, sporting such gorgeous names as Violet Sabrewing and Crowned Brilliant.....



















It is one of the humming bird feeders at the garden near the Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica....











Costa Rica is the perfect travel destination for "twitchers" of any persuasion, and the tropical cloud forests of Monteverde are home to an astonishing array of species including the extremely shy and elusive Quetzal Resplendent. This bird is both a powerful symbol of freedom as it always dies in captivity and thus can only be observed in its natural habitat, plus a powerful symbol of Aztec and Mayan culture as ceremonial head dresses were made from the bird's incredibly long tail feathers (which can be regrown.) Here is a very plump, puffed up male Quetzal gorging himself on wild avocado fruits....

To join in the fun of weekly shadowhunting check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here. You may become an addict!!

21 comments:

Owen said...

You visit the most amazing places ! And you bring new life to the word "exotic". Love the names of these birds... resplendant, brilliant...

PeterParis said...

Owen expresses so well what I would have like to say! ... and thanks for giving the answer to the quiz!

Chubby Chieque said...

I guess the plant over but not the lamp though. I though it's a ball or something hanging, LOL...

You're smart, indeed!

Happy SSS & enjoy your w/end.

Sylvia K said...

I can only echo Owen and Peter! You do get the most fun, beautiful and amazing shots on your wonderful travels! Always look forward each week to see what delight you've found to share with us!! And your shadows today are the perfect example! Have a terrific weekend, Catherine!

Sylvia

A Wild Thing said...

Wonderful shots all...and I like to be munching on a fresh avocado right now, I used to have one in my yard in Florida.

Unknown said...

I didn't know the quetzal always dies in captivity - fascinating! No, I had no idea what was causing the shadow to move. I was thinking it might be the wind...but I was wrong. Neat shadows!

frayed at the edge said...

wonderful shadows, and an interesting and informative post!

frayedattheedge.typepad.co.uk

Ralph said...

A bird feeder is not what I imagined - but it is stylish, and the hummingbirds are fluttering their wings furiously awaiting their turn for dinner. Excellent!

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

a hummingbird feeder - now you mention it I think I may have heard of something like this on a travel program once.

Kim, USA said...

Wow that is a great capture, love it!

ShadowShotSunday

Lynda Howells said...

wow..wonderful shadow imagexxlynda
( http:tryingtocreatearteveryday.blogspot.com)

robin. said...

awesome shadow shots!!!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Even though they are great shadows and very distinct, I was getting worried you were not going to tell us what made them. Great post ~ even if I almost failed the quiz :)

Fun visiting! ldh

Gemma Wiseman said...

Informative post! Love the luminous green tone of this little bir'd feathers! And a great shadow capture!

admin said...

Gorgeous!!! My husband & I are dreaming of holidaying in Mexico one day :)

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

You had us - we could NOT figure out that feeder! It's quite lovely to look at both as a shadow & a bird feeder - very artisitic!
Interesting about these birds - and that they can grow out their tail feather - facinating!

Margaret Gosden said...

What interesting SSSs! Good to see what makes them, too. Is it really not wise to visit Mexico these days? The news is so negative!

Catherine said...

Hi Margaret - thanks for stopping by - all the negative news about Mexico is focused on the vicious drug war in the border cities - these are unsafe places, however the rest of the country, the beach resorts, the colonial towns and mexico city itself are all perfectly safe for a holiday - and a delightful one at that!!

Catherine said...

Hi everyone - glad you all liked the hummingbird feeder this week
-have really enjoyed visiting all your blogs this week too..

Fly Girl said...

Beautful! I never imaged that the quetzal's plumes were so vibrant.

NatureFootstep said...

that was great shadow images. :)
My compliments to a nice blog.