Our entire group was eating dinner when we spotted the swarming action occurring on this spectacular, 20-foot-high century plant on the grounds of our hotel in Paracas, Peru. For nearly an hour, we got “spaghetti arms” while our cameras and flashes got heavier as we held them overhead, taking multiple shots of these creatures of the night diving in and out of the beautifully structured blooms to get their fill. With their tongues fully extended and pollen covering their noses and faces, the bats would dive head-first into the flower for quick seconds, emerge, take a few laps around the plant, and repeat. Their speed made it extremely difficult to get the shot. I was pleased to get this photo featuring four of the bats in one frame. Our guide, Eliacin, hung out with us the entire time as we all joked and laughed about our sore arms trying to get the perfect picture. One of the great things about these trips is the camaraderie— you start as strangers and end as family. It warmed my heart as Eliacin (below) took a precious moment with these local children in Pachar, Peru to let them see up close with his binoculars.

Tracey Robertson

Peru | Birding, Photography, Natural History