I’ve been AWOL from wildlife photos because I’ve been focused on I See Purple. I don’t usually post civic/political content here - and I’ll be back to wildlife after this - but this matters to me. Please consider following @iseepurple.bsky.social and signing the pledge at www.iseepurple.org.

A Swallow-tailed Manakin perches in the Atlantic Forest outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, its bright red crown glowing against the deep greens of the canopy. #BirdsOfBlueSky #Birds #WildlifePhotography #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #SwallowTailedManakin #Manakin #BrazilBirds

I’m reposting this because it happens to fit the #birdoftheday theme of #foodinbeaks and the alt theme of #green.

Scott Werntz Nature Photographer@swerntznature.bsky.social · 4mo ago

A Green-headed Tanager pauses while foraging in the Atlantic Forest outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a tiny berry held carefully in its beak. Its colors are hard to ignore, but the little feeding moment is what makes the image for me. #Birds #BirdsOfBlueSky #GreenHeadedTanager #Tanager #Brazil

A Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail steps quietly through the shadows of the Atlantic Forest outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. #BirdsOfBlueSky #Birds #WildlifePhotography #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #SlatyBreastedWoodRail #WoodRail #BrazilBirds

A Green-headed Tanager pauses while foraging in the Atlantic Forest outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a tiny berry held carefully in its beak. Its colors are hard to ignore, but the little feeding moment is what makes the image for me. #Birds #BirdsOfBlueSky #GreenHeadedTanager #Tanager #Brazil

A pair of Black-capped Donacobius pauses for a quiet moment among the reeds and thorny branches along a rural stream outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. #BirdsOfBlueSky #Birds #WildlifePhotography #BirdPhotography #BlackCappedDonacobius #BrazilBirds

A Glittering-bellied Emerald hovers among purple blossoms in Buenos Aires, Argentina, feeding in a blur of iridescent green and motion. For such a small bird, it leaves quite an impression. #BirdsOfBlueSky #Birds #Hummingbirds #GlitteringBelliedEmerald #ArgentinaBirds

A vibrant butterfly lingers on lantana blossoms in Punta del Este, Uruguay, its wings glowing like stained glass in the afternoon light. #Butterfly #ButterflyPhotography #InsectsOfBlueSky #ButterfliesofBlueSky #NatureLovers #PuntaDelEste #Uruguay

A Green-barred Woodpecker works its way along a tree branch in the Atlantic Forest near Rio de Janeiro. Tiny fragments of wood fall below as it pecks, pauses, and listens — patiently chipping away in search of insects hidden in the bark. #BirdsOfBlueSky #GreenBarredWoodpecker #Woodpecker #Brazil

A Jacamar perches quietly in the Atlantic Forest outside Rio de Janeiro, its iridescent feathers glowing against the moss-covered branches around it. I never would have found it if it weren't for Gabriel Mello (www.irmaosmello.com.br), whose expert eye helped reveal a whole hidden world. #birds

A Plain Parakeet feeds quietly among thin branches in the rainforest near Paraty, Brazil. These little beauties blend so well into the green canopy — they’re really easy to miss! #Birds #BirdsOfBlueSky #WildlifePhotography #BrazilWildlife #Parakeet

While the rest of our group sampled local spirits in Paraty, Brazil, I wandered toward an old church across the road. Behind it was untamed jungle, where curious marmosets appeared in the canopy. For a few quiet moments, we had the rainforest to ourselves. #WildlifePhotography #Brazil #Marmoset

Hidden among the palms, this saffron toucanet blended perfectly into the colors of the rainforest. Paraty, Brazil #saffrontoucanet #toucanet #toucan #birds #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #birdsofbluesky #tropicalbirds #rainforest #brazilwildlife #paraty

A European starling, perched atop a sun-scorched saguaro, locks menacingly onto a perceived threat in the stark white sky. Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix, AZ #europeanstarling #starling #birds #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #birdsofbluesky #arizona

A Gila woodpecker working on its nest in a saguaro cactus. These cavities often become homes for other birds once they’re abandoned. Desert Botanical Gardens Phoenix, AZ #gilawoodpecker #woodpeckers #birds #birdsofbluesky #desertlife #arizonanature #phoenixarizona #desertbotanicalgarden

An Anna’s hummingbird pausing just long enough for a quick sip… and then gone. Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, AZ #hummingbird #annashummingbird #birds #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #desertbotanicalgarden #phoenixarizona

There was just a quick flash of yellow as this little Verdin darted effortlessly through a maze of thorny branches. Desert Botanical Gardens Phoenix, Arizona #verdins #birds #birdsinflight #arizonanature #desertbotanicalgarden #birdsofbluesky

I was focused on the hummingbird… and almost missed the tiny standoff happening right below it. Not sure who thought they had the right of way here. #hummingbird #annashummingbird #birds #arizona #desertbotanicalgarden #birdsofbluesky #birdsandbees

Sometimes the wild moments get all the attention, but scenes like this are just as memorable. A quiet afternoon, a sea lion at rest, and the rhythm of the islands slowing everything down. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador #galapagos #ecuador #wildlifephotography #sealions

Not sure what impressed me more... the marine iguanas, or the tiny lizard casually claiming the best seat in the house. #marineiguana #galapagos #wildlifephotography #lizardsofbluesky #reptilesofbluesky #animalbehavior #discoverearth #natgeowild #bbcearth #bestwildlife

Not what I expected. I always think of penguins as waddling on land or darting underwater like submersible rockets, but here they were just cruising along the surface like ducks. Who knew? Galápagos Islands, Ecuador #galapagos #penguins #birds #wildlifephotography #naturephotography

I’ve shared a few blue-footed boobies already, but this angle really stood out to me. The feather detail, the posture… and of course, those unmistakable blue feet. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador #galapagos #bluefootedbooby #galapagos #birds #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #birdsofbluesky

Just a quick bite… and a very dramatic response. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador #galapagos #galapagosislands #sealions #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #animalbehavior #natgeo #bbcearth #discoverearth

Spent a while watching this Galápagos mockingbird just holding its ground on this branch. Simple scene, but the light, the pose, and that clean background all came together. #galapagos #birds #galapagosmockingbird #birdsofbluesky

Fresh out of the ocean, this marine iguana climbs up like he owns the place. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador #MarineIguana #Galapagos #Iguana #WildlifePhotography #PlanetEarth #ReptilesOfBlueSky

This pup was tucked into the rocks, catching a pocket of softer light in the late morning. The conditions weren’t easy - shooting from a moving zodiac, with harsh light and deep shadows - but every once in a while, everything lines up just enough. #SeaLion #Galapagos #WildlifePhotography

I almost walked right past this one. Blending into the dry landscape, these yellow land iguanas don’t always stand out until the light hits them just right. Once it does, though, the color and texture are hard to ignore. #GalapagosIslands #LandIguana #Galapagos #Iguana #WildlifePhotography

I was surprised to learn there’s a small population of flamingos that live in the Galápagos year-round. They can be hard to find, so I felt especially lucky to catch this one wading through the still waters at Cerro Dragón. #Flamingo #Galapagos #Birds #WildlifePhotography #BirdsofBlueSky

A quiet moment between waves. For just a second, everything aligns - light, movement, and reflection - before it disappears again. #SemipalmatedPlover #Galapagos #WildlifePhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Shorebirds #Reflection #BirdsofBlueSky

Caught mid-air, just before touchdown. Blue-footed boobies are built for precision—wings outstretched, feet ready, every movement calculated as they return to land. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador #BlueFootedBooby #Galapagos #Birds #WildlifePhotography #BirdsofBlueSky