A peek at the world of birds

Most of us don't think much about the birds we see every day.  But even common species produce majestic moments, if the right photographer is at hand.  Whether it's a pair of hummingbirds in courtship display, a penguin peering through the mists, or the wonderfully named Marvellous Spatuletail in flight with its tailfeathers streaming like kites, birds offer sights that sparkle like diamonds embedded in the fabric of Nature's gown.  (Hmmm..you might think that simile is a reach, but I'll think on a better one while you peruse these spectacular photos.)