Glossy Sterling

Ever since I started going into the Aviary at the Los Angeles Zoo, I've been trying to get a good picture of this bird. The sheen of this bird's feather combined with the almost irradescent coloring is beautiful... but not easily captured with my camera under the shade of the thick trees in the aviary. But two things worked in my favor on this trip: one) they thinned out some of the trees so it was a little lighter, and 2) the birds were in rare form landing so close to me that it wasn't a struggle to take the shots or worry about my zoom being over extended.

Ain't it purty?