Author: Jim Gain
-
FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is the sole member of the genus Panterpe and is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica… READ MORE
-
|
Black Skimmer in Stanislaus County
CENTRAL VALLEY BIRDS AND BIRDING Unusual tern-like bird with oversized bill—lower mandible is much longer than upper mandible. Feeds by… READ MORE
-
PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Plain-capped Starthroats live around the borders of arid or semiarid forests, in thorn forests, coffee plantations, second growth, and in… READ MORE
-
TALAMANCA HUMMINGBIRD – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Talamanca Hummingbird is a large, long-billed hummingbird that occurs in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama READ MORE
-
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
The Green-crowned Brilliant is a hummingbird species found in southern Central America and northwestern South America READ MORE
-
BLACK-CRESTED COQUETTE – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Male Black-crested Coquettes are characterized by their green throat and crown, the latter topped by a wispy black crest READ MORE
-
GREEN THORNTAIL – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Green Thorntail is a small, uncommon hummingbird that occurs from Costa Rica south to western Ecuador. READ MORE
-
GREEN-BREASTED MANGO – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
The Green-breasted Mango is relatively common and widespread in most of Central America. READ MORE
-
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Due to their inquisitive nature, Purple-crowned Fairies are reasonably easy to observe. READ MORE
-
LESSER VIOLETEAR – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Lesser Violetear is locally common in montane regions of southern Central America and of South America, from Costa Rica south… READ MORE
ABOUT THE SITE
With a primary focus on birds, each blog series has it’s own unique look at the wildlife and wild places encountered at different locations that I have visited around the world.
ABOUT ME
I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 40 years, I taught and led in public education, helping students discover the wonder woven into every corner of the natural world. That same drive has carried me through decades of citizen science and conservation work. As an active member of the Modesto Camera Club, I’ve developed a photographic practice that blends natural history with visual artistry, and my award‑winning images have been featured across the Internet on dozens of sites and field‑oriented platforms. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.
~ Jim Gain
Reflections of the Natural World 