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By [Your Name/Editorial Staff]
Following the widespread critical and popular success of its inaugural run, the acclaimed digital series Wild Birds Revealed has officially returned for a second season. Backed by corporate sponsor OM System and produced in partnership with the world-renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the new season once again places viewers in the field alongside celebrated father-and-son wildlife photography duo Tim and Russell Laman.
Designed to blend high-end visual artistry with conservation-minded education, Season 2 promises an intimate look at the avian world, capturing behaviors, colors, and flight dynamics that typically escape the naked eye. Leveraging cutting-edge telephoto lenses and high-speed slow-motion video capabilities, the Lamans journey across diverse North American landscapes—starting in the vibrant ecosystems of Florida and Southern California—to bring viewers face-to-face with some of the continent’s most fascinating feathered inhabitants.
Main Facts: What You Need to Know About Season 2
The Partnership: Season 2 of Wild Birds Revealed is a collaborative project between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and corporate sponsor OM System (OM Digital Solutions Corporation).
The Talent: The series stars renowned wildlife photographers and filmmakers Tim Laman and his son, Russell Laman.
Premiere and Location Focus: The first episode is available now, focusing on the dazzling coastal and desert-edge environments of Southern California.
Subject Matter: The premiere episode highlights two distinct hummingbird species: the iridescent pink Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) and the striking purple-crowned Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae).
Technology Utilized: The series heavily relies on OM System camera bodies and specialized long-lenses, utilizing advanced frame-rate and slow-motion video technologies to dissect complex avian physics, such as mid-air hovering and unique wingbeat mechanics.
Release Schedule: The first episode of Season 2 is live now, with three additional episodes slated to roll out in the near future.
Chronology: The Journey of Wild Birds Revealed
To understand the trajectory of this unique visual project, it is helpful to look back at how the series evolved from concept to a multi-season educational staple.
The Genesis and Season 1 (2024–2025)
When the Cornell Lab of Ornithology first teamed up with OM System to conceptualize Wild Birds Revealed, the goal was simple yet ambitious: bridge the gap between scientific ornithology and high-end commercial wildlife photography. The first season focused heavily on environmental storytelling, taking viewers deep into the nesting grounds, hunting habits, and migratory patterns of iconic regional species.
Throughout Season 1, audiences were treated to deep dives into three distinct bird species:
Tree Swallows: Showcasing their acrobatic aerial insect-hunting capabilities.
Ospreys: Documenting coastal hunting techniques and nest management.
The success of Season 1 proved that modern audiences have a voracious appetite for high-definition, ethically produced wildlife content that prioritizes animal welfare and natural behaviors over artificial staging.
Transition to Season 2: Expanding Horizons
Building on the foundation laid by the inaugural run, planning for Season 2 began shortly after the final episodes of Season 1 concluded. The production team chose to pivot slightly in terms of geography and pacing, focusing heavily on regions rich in avian diversity—namely the wetlands of Florida and the sun-drenched habitats of Southern California.
Instead of jumping straight into large raptors or oceanic birds, the production team decided to open Season 2 with a hyper-focused study on miniaturized aerial masters: hummingbirds. By utilizing advanced sensor technology and specialized glass, the Lamans captured the intricate wing mechanics of the Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds in stunning 4K slow-motion.
Supporting Data: Understanding the Subjects and Gear
While the narrative heart of Wild Birds Revealed is artistic storytelling, the technical execution relies on precise scientific observation and state-of-the-art photographic equipment.
Avian Focus: The Miracles of Hummingbird Flight
Hummingbirds are among the most metabolically extreme and aerodynamically complex creatures on Earth. In the premiere episode of Season 2, Tim and Russell Laman turn their lenses on two specific species native to the western United States:
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna): Recognized by its brilliant rose-pink crown and throat, this species has expanded its range significantly northward over the past century due to urbanization and the proliferation of backyard feeders and non-native eucalyptus trees. Their dive-display behavior involves reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, producing a sharp, mechanical chirping sound with their tail feathers.
Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae): Distinguished by elongated, sweeping violet-purple throat feathers (gorget) that flare out like a radiant crown, the Costa’s Hummingbird is uniquely adapted to desert and arid scrubland environments of the American Southwest and Mexico.
Through the slow-motion footage featured in the series, viewers can observe how these birds achieve their signature figure-eight wingstroke, allowing them to fly backward, upside down, and hover stationary in mid-air to feed on nectar from complex floral structures like aloe and desert sage.
The Photographic Gear Behind the Lens
Capturing sharp, noise-free images of creatures whose wings beat up to 80 times per second requires specialized equipment. The production utilizes Micro Four Thirds camera systems provided by OM System. Known for their exceptional weather sealing, lightning-fast autofocus tracking, and high-speed sequential shooting capabilities (often exceeding 50 frames per second with Pro Capture modes), these cameras allow wildlife photographers to react to split-second behavioral shifts in the field without disturbing the subjects.
Official Responses and Perspectives
Executives, marketers, and the artists themselves have weighed in on what makes this ongoing collaboration so vital to modern wildlife conservation and digital storytelling.
Tim Laman on the Wonder of Familiar Birds
Speaking about the challenges and joys of shooting Season 2, wildlife photographer Tim Laman emphasized that filmmakers do not always need to travel to the ends of the earth to find compelling subjects.
"We are very excited to share our new episodes of Wild Birds Revealed," says Tim Laman. "This year, we are featuring some diverse and spectacular North American birds that most everyone is probably familiar with — but be prepared to be amazed. From hummingbirds and more, we have filmed some bird behaviors that may surprise you. You don’t want to miss Season 2 of Wild Birds Revealed!"
Laman has intentionally kept details regarding the final three episodes of the season under wraps, building anticipation within the global birding and photography communities.
OM System’s Vision for Nature Education
Eiji Shirota, head of the OM System Business Unit at OM Digital Solutions Corporation, highlighted the brand’s commitment to environmental appreciation through technological enablement.
"We are truly honored to continue our collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a second year," states Shirota. "We are delighted that, through this series, we can share the hidden lives of wild birds, the wonders of nature, and the joy of birdwatching with an even wider audience."
Shirota added that the company takes immense pride in knowing that its consumer-available camera ecosystems were directly responsible for capturing some of the most intimate moments featured in the series.
"We hope the series will deepen people’s understanding and appreciation of nature and inspire new encounters with the natural world and moments of wonder."
The Cornell Lab Perspective on Visual Storytelling
Christian Camerota, Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, pointed out the psychological power of combining art with environmental education.
"The best storytelling can help people see even familiar birds in a completely new way," explains Camerota. "By combining singular imagery with the wonder of discovery, Wild Birds Revealed has been designed to help deepen people’s love and understanding of birds and inspire them to help protect our natural world."
Implications: Fostering Conservation Through the Lens
Beyond serving as entertaining digital media for bird enthusiasts and photography hobbyists, series like Wild Birds Revealed carry significant broader implications for global conservation efforts.
1. Democratizing Conservation Awareness
By focusing on species that live in suburban backyards, municipal parks, and local regional parks (such as the Anna’s Hummingbird), the series bridges the gap between remote wilderness conservation and everyday urban ecology. When people understand the complex lives of birds living just outside their windows, they are statistically more likely to support local habitat preservation initiatives, plant native flora, and reduce pesticide use in their own neighborhoods.
2. Inspiring a New Generation of Citizen Scientists
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has long championed "citizen science"—mobilizing millions of everyday observers to collect data on bird populations through platforms like eBird. High-production documentary series act as a powerful funnel, converting passive viewers into active outdoor participants who pick up cameras, binoculars, and notebooks to document the natural world around them.
For those inspired by the series to try their own hand at wildlife photography, educational resources—such as comprehensive beginner guides developed in partnership with experienced field professionals like OM System Ambassador Ben Knoot—ensure that amateurs approach wildlife photography ethically, prioritizing animal welfare and habitat respect over getting a close-up shot.
3. The Future of Brand-Sponsored Environmental Media
The partnership between OM System and the Cornell Lab also represents a shifting paradigm in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and brand marketing. Rather than relying on traditional product-placement advertisements, camera manufacturers are increasingly investing in high-value, educational documentaries that prove the real-world utility of their engineering while simultaneously serving a greater public good.
Where to Watch and What’s Next
The premiere episode of Wild Birds Revealed Season 2 is available to stream right now through the official digital channels of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and OM System. While fans await the release of the remaining three episodes, the complete three-episode run of Season 1—covering Tree Swallows, Ospreys, and Atlantic Puffins—remains accessible online for streaming.
Whether you are an experienced ornithologist, a passionate landscape and wildlife photographer, or simply someone who enjoys watching hummingbirds darting through garden blooms, Season 2 of Wild Birds Revealed offers an unforgettable window into the breathtaking majesty of the avian kingdom.
