Blue Pitta

Known only from scattered sites throughout Southeastern Asia, the Blue Pitta might be the most reclusive species I've photographed. This obviously set-up shot was captured outside Kaeng Krachan National Park, this male visiting the deep forest hide only after woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, and squirrels had vacated the feeding station. He only visited the hide twice during my 3-hour stay - each time for less than minute - so I was really stoked to walk away with a super sharp short under challenging lighting conditions.

Nui's hide, Kaeng Krachan NP, Pretchaburi, Thailand, December 2019
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/100 at f/5, ISO 3200, tripod