The Sunbittern is a bird I had never heard of let alone seen prior to my recent visit to Costa Rica. The Sunbittern looks a bit like a heron but is related to birds in the South Pacific although it is native to neotropical regions in Central and South America. We’d heard about the Sunbittern and its nest and so we ventured a short distance away from the Rancho to find it. The nest was well hidden in a large tree between a stream and the road. We first saw one adult Sunbittern from a bridge while it searched for food on rocks at the edge of the stream. Then, Moose located the nest. At first, it was hard to see through the leaves and vines and orchids and stag horn ferns that were growing through and around the branches. Getting an unobstructed view was difficult and the sun was high and there were harsh shadows. But finally I found a spot where I could see both the adult and one chick (there were at least two chicks but I photographed only one). Both parents protect the chicks in the nest and take turns sitting on it. For a minute or two, the sun disappeared briefly behind a cloud, softening the light. Soon after I took this, the chick was nestled back under its parent’s breast for an afternoon siesta.
Excellent!