...the challenge that day was obstructions

you just gotta take it as it comes, i guess

The clarity and detail of your photo of them is phenomenal. Thanks for posting it, you captured the perfect moment.

...the nikon D850 and the nikon 300mm f/4 PF make getting the clarity and detail possible. and. really, that's what makes this photo, as i am not excited about the composition....but i was fighting obstructions and distractions.

...i love all the toucan family birds. they're not nice birds, though, as you might imagine from the fruit loops commercials. they eat fruit sometimes...other times they raid bird nests and eat the babies.

I am fascinated by the colors and textures.

Well done!
Reminder to DUer's to download larger pix and always view as large as possible, with the monitor brightness set as high as it will go.
Got to do these pictures justice.

...believe it or not, unlike most toucans, which are warm weather birds, these guys are up at high altitudes where it gets cold.

I cannot get over just how exquisite they are.

Super job!

nikon glass captured the detail....i just focused and pressed the shutter.

i'm not crazy about the composition and the fact that i couldn't fit the whole bird in the frame (the one disadvantage of using a prime, sometimes)

You isolated the bird in the frame beautifully.

i feel like i'm stuck at a place and can't break through to the next level.

That's why I have chain saws!

Cheers.