Behind the Lens | WildLenz Field Notes
Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters happen when you're not expecting much at all.
While staying in La Crucecita, Huatulco, on Mexico's Pacific coast, I discovered Parque Rufino Tamayo, a local park just down the street from where I was staying. What looked like an ordinary neighborhood green space turned out to be full of birdlife.
A Small Park with Remarkable Birds
The Huatulco area has some extraordinary dry-forest birdlife, but I didn't expect to find so much of it within walking distance of my accommodation. Parque Rufino Tamayo soon became somewhere I enjoyed exploring with my camera.
Two species were particular highlights: the Russet-crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus) and the Citreoline Trogon (Trogon citreolus). Seeing them in this little park was a reminder that wildlife discoveries don't always require a long journey into the wilderness.
The Moment Behind Twin Motmots
Normally, birds like these don't give you much time. They perch briefly, notice movement, and disappear into the vegetation before you've settled on a composition.
These two were different. They sat on the same winding branch, separated by just enough space to balance the frame, and remained there much longer than I expected. For once, I could watch, compose, and photograph without rushing.
There was no bait or setup. Just two wild birds, a quiet moment, and the opportunity to work with what the forest offered. Their russet crowns, soft green plumage and blue-tipped tails stood out against the pale background. The branches created natural lines that connected the pair without crowding them.
Why This Photograph Stayed with Me
I especially like the space between the birds. Although they're apart, their positioning makes the photograph feel connected and calm. It's the kind of stillness I hope to preserve in a fine-art print.
Russet-crowned Motmots can be easy to miss despite their striking colours. Photographing two together, both clearly visible and naturally positioned, made this encounter memorable.
From a Huatulco Encounter to WildLenz Fine Art
When I choose images for WildLenz, I look for more than sharpness or colour. I want photographs that retain something of the place and the moment they came from.
Twin Motmots brings together delicate branches, natural colours and generous negative space. As wall art, it has a quiet presence that complements restrained interiors. But to me it will always recall an unexpected encounter in a small Oaxaca park.
Explore Twin Motmots prints at WildLenz and discover more wildlife-inspired fine-art photography.
Photography and story by Nick D'Annunzio | WildLenz Fine Art
