Mike Melton

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I'm so glad!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I've only seen three before, but nothing like this with hundreds nesting. We did a count of the nests today along just one edge of the treeline and counted ~100. And there is another long edge and many birds deeper in the trees.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I'm so glad!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I saw something very interesting today with the Agami Herons. There was heavy rain today and the adults on the nest were creating a tight-fitting dome over the entire nest with their large wings, protecting the eggs from wind and water. The edges of the wings fit along the entire edge of the nest.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Excellent! Eared Grebes are so gorgeous in breeding plumage.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Baby dippers are the best!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

It's amazing to spend so much time with them.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Yes, I've been lucky to spend many hours with these over the last few weeks.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Their crests are very interesting, as they're dynamic and they flow like liquid. I think I got some video of that today, but it's going to take me some time to process it.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Especially if you hear them.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You're welcome, Liz!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You're welcome!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

We have those here, too!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Thank you so much! It's my pleasure to share these.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You're welcome!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I hope they're real or I'm seriously hallucinating! 😂

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

This is not AI.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I haven't observed many fights between the Agami Herons, but these two males were late arrivals to the colony and they seemed to be trying to find a mate in the same neighborhood. There was a lot jabbing and clacking of bills. (Unfortunately I couldn't use the audio because of talkative humans.)

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I've been concentrating on shooting video documenting their behavior around the nests for the last few weeks. I currently have 5700 videos at just about 1TB of storage right now.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Another shot from my upcoming photo book, "Agami Herons that extended their heads outside my shot." #birds #herons #costarica

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They're like hummingbirds in that no two shots are the same.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

We're estimating 500 or so adults right now, so it's quite the show.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

My list isn't too bad, but I need to do some Asian birding; I have no species there. But South America is much closer and there are still so many birds I need there.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

www.youtube.com/shorts/20ktk...

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

😂

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They are beautiful, but the Hoatzin might be a contender for The strangest. bsky.app/profile/mike...

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I am very lucky.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Those crest feathers are so fine, they flow as if they are liquid. It's mesmerizing.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Agami Heron, rear view. At Agami Island #CostaRica #birds #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Some nice detail of the feather crest of the Agami Heron from the other day at Agami Island #CostaRica #birds #nature #wildlife

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

The understated Black-crested Coquette at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica #birds #hummingbirds #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

A little #SundaySnowcap Male Snowcap #hummingbird at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica #birds #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

No, those sound like wonderful colors!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Yes, there's a constant stream of them flying out to collect sticks for the nest and then returning.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They're herons, in their own genus: Agamia agami

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Not shallow at all! Bird colors are very inspiring!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

A very special froggy, the Tlalocohyla celeste, or the Tapir Valley Tree Frog. This species was only just documented in 2021 and is one of the rarest frogs in the world. It's found only in a small area of the lagoon at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #frogs #amphibians #herping #costarica #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Perfect!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I've heard from rehabbers that they'll go for your eyes, but I don't have personal experience.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

No, the bird is wonderful and he is awful.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I think you misspelled amazing, my friend. 😂

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They really don't make any kind of sounds when they dance. bsky.app/profile/mike...

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Herons are a bit stabby.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

This is an Agami Heron.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

This is an Agami Heron.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

He doesn't look at nature, I'm pretty sure.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They've been messing with this colony for many, many years. They should be here until around September when they disperse again. We should have baby herons in early July.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They are generally extremely solitary, so it's interesting to see how they all congregate like this once a year. I guess after spending that much time with family, you need a big break!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

No, it's an island in the wetlands outside the boundaries of Caño Negro Wetlands. www.agami-island.com

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Thanks for linking that. Scientific research is a priority for the owner and it's going to be a very easy place for researchers too spend time with these birds.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

It's difficult to believe that they're real even when you're watching hundreds of them.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

He's going to try to get an accurate count of the birds over the next week or two, but today we counted 197 just along the edge of the tree line. Line. They extend further back into the trees, but we don't know how far.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

It's a nature reserve near Katira de Guatuso. The property was purchased in February as a family conservation project/getaway. My friend, the owner, was completely unaware of the Agamis until they started showing up at the end of May. It is quite the discovery so close to civilization.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Because of their preferred habitat, they don't do well in captivity. (If it's even been attempted.)

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Both sexes are identical except the females are sometimes a bit smaller.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Indeed.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

The Agami Herons spend a lot of time checking the nest to make sure it's secure. Here you can see two blue eggs. At Agami Island #CostaRica #birds #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They're typically very difficult to see. They skulk along small streams in dark, thick forests, seldom coming out in the open. But they're a little easier to see when there are 500 of them nesting in the open! 😂

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

A bit of drama today at Agami Island as this male got into a fight with another male displaying nearby. There was some snapping and bill clacking and this guy then goes into full-on dance mode with his crest expanded. At Agami Island #costarica #birds #herons #nature #testosterone

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

That's good because there's a lot more to come!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I'm happy to have a forum to share it on!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I'm going to be shooting a lot of video with the nestlings. It's going to be total chaos around the heronry. My friend did a count of just the birds available in front of the tree line and had 197 today. And we don't know how far the colony extends back into the forest.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I am very fortunate.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You might want to rethink that critique. bsky.app/profile/mike...

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

There are more and more 1st year birds now arriving at the colony. We're speculating that they're observing the nest-building process and returning to the location where they were born a year ago. It'll be interesting to see if they help with feeding the hatchlings.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I'm envious that you have Least Bitterns. They are such great birds, but can be very elusive. And so tiny!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They can hunt by keeping their body stationary and extending their neck.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Thank you, Jay!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Thanks, Jan!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Thanks!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

My guess would be Brown-crested Flycatcher.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You're welcome!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Yes, that's how they hunt. They remain motionless and use that long neck to stab fishes.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Con mucho gusto.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

There are many, many bugs. It's true.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Agami Heron yoga practice the other day at Agami Island. (I wonder why they named it that?) #herons #birds #costarica #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I plead the 5th.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You're welcome! They're very interesting birds.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

it's very difficult to get an accurate number, as the birds are solitary and elusive during the non-breeding season. But once a year, they congregate in large numbers to nest together and it's quite a spectacle. I've only seen this bird three times before I visited this rookery.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They're found from the very southern part of Mexico to the Amazon basin, but there aren't many of them. They're dependent on forest wetlands and that habitat has been destroyed over the last few hundred years. Experts estimate that there might be 25,000 of these birds, but...

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

The birds keep me sane when people are doing terrible things.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

This male Green Kingfisher was hunting at @tapirvalley.bsky.social and caught himself a delicious "water scorpion." (Not a real scorpion; they just kind of look like one. But they do live in the water, so that part's accurate.) #birds #nature #costarica #kingfishers

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

This clip is interesting for a few reasons: 1. It shows their long, snaky neck. 2. It's an immature bird that's spending time at the rookery with nesting adults. 3. This young bird is starting to show some of its light blue feather crest Agami Heron #CostaRica #birds #herons

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

The Agami Herons spend a lot time together keeping an eye on the nest. One adult will brood or stand above the eggs, regulating the temperature, while the other will stand by...looking gorgeous. But they do switch roles. #herons #birds #nature #costarica

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

It's ladies night on Bluesky! This is the female Crowned Woodnymph. Such lovely colors on her. At @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica #birds #nature #hummingbirds

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

As penance, more female Snowcap #hummingbird. At @tapirvalley.bsky.social #birds #nature #costarica #colibri

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Legitimately.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They've been very frisky lately. It seems unlikely that they're going to nest again (but possible), or maybe they're working on setting up their own little fiefdoms.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

That's her tongue! 😝

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

I didn't argue with her.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

This female Snowcap #hummingbird was admonishing me for posting too many of the male Snowcaps. I apologized to her and made a promise to rectify that. At @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica #birds #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

They don't burninate, as far as I know.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

The male has the yellow around the eye; the female's eye makeup is white!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Yep, it's fun shooting through multiple layers of vegetation, for sure.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

A male Gartered Trogon was looking for breakfast yesterday at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica #birds #nature

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

The Lesson's Motmots have been busy feeding their kids over the last month, but finally I found one of the youngsters spying on me near the kitchen today. The young birds have a bill that's a bit stubbier and they haven't developed their pendant tails, yet. So shy! #birds #nature #costarica

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Bird necks are very thin and strange looking. Their feathers make them look much larger than they are.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

Just one with its neck extended.

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

You're welcome! I'm going to be spending a lot of time with these birds for the next 2 months so you will see plenty of them!

Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social):

bsky.app/profile/mike...