Recently received photos - New Year 2018

We begin this month's gallery with a series of images from our inaugural Colombia: Cali Escape tour, which returns in November 2018. Here's a stunning Saffron-crowned Tanager by participant Steve Parrish to kick start the slideshow. In addition to Colombia, we have images this month from Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Jamaica, Alaska, Madagascar, Namibia & Botswana, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Participant Steve Parrish did an amazing job of photographing this Black-thighed Puffleg.

This gorgeous Gold-ringed Tanager is endemic to Colombia, and its minuscule range has led to the species being listed as endangered. Photo by participant Steve Parrish.

You can't beat the look we had at Chestnut-crowned Antpitta. Photo by participant Steve Parrish.

It is only for a narrow band descending below its bill, but the Rainbow-bearded Thornbill is accurately named. Photo by participant Steve Parrish.

The red bill on a Green-and-black Fruiteater really jumps out on its otherwise dark head. Photo by participant Steve Parrish.

Take away the bill and rump of a Crimson-rumped Toucanet and it simply disappears in the foliage. Photo by participant Steve Parrish.

Shining Sunbeam might be a bit of an exaggeration for this hummingbird, but it is undeniably handsome. Photo by participant Steve Parrish.

Moving on to a different itinerary, our first image from our Colombia: Llanos & More tour comes from the Juan Solito Lodge where we did some birding in the lush riparian zone. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.

Participant Tom Hammond caught this pair of Sharp-tailed Ibis gliding by.

Life looks pretty easy for this Red Howler Monkey. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.

The massive eyes of a Double-striped Thick-knee really grab your attention -- this species normally forages at night. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.

This Pale-headed Jacamar proves you don't have to have flashy colors to be beautiful. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.

An uncomfortably close view of the impressive mouthful of teeth on a Spectacled Caiman. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.

Red-breasted Meadowlarks can be found in grasslands across northern South America. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.

Guide Jesse Fagan caught this Moustached Puffbird lurking in the shadows.

Our next set of images comes from one of our tours from the GREAT RIVERS OF THE AMAZON series. The guides (from right to left) for this boat-based tour on the Rio Aripuana were Bret Whitney, Moacir Fortes a.k.a. Junior (our captain!), Marcelo Barreiros, and Micah Riegner. Looks like a tough life! Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.

No lodge -- no problem; we ate like royalty aboard our luxurious vessel. Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.

A green vulture? No, this fascinatingly odd bird is a Bald Parrot. Photo by guide Micah Riegner.

It takes a head-on look like this to truly appreciate how narrow the skull and bill are on an Agami Heron. Photo by guide Micah Riegner.

1,2,3...Yep, it's a Three-toed Sloth. Photo by guide Micah Riegner.

This little gem is a Yellow-bellied Dacnis. Photo by guide Micah Riegner.