After seeing Quetzels both here and in Monteverde during several trips but not getting the photographs I wanted, I was determined to get it done this time. I was going to alter my plan slightly from the way I normally shoot Costa Rica(by just letting it happen), and find a nesting pair and wait them out. I gave a ride to a couple of students who were doing an internship with the reserve and they put me on a nesting pair of quetzels about a mile from the lodge. I found the tree they described and set up. Three hours into the first sit with the light fading I was rewarded. First the male came out of the tree without a whisper, I just glanced up as I had been, only this time a beautiful bird magically appeared on their perching branch! The female came minutes later and they traded spots, with the male returning to the tree. They were out together only for a short time, the whole session lasted less than ten minutes but I was pleased with the results.