By Global Wildlife & Photography Desk Published: September 2026
Main Facts
Following the critical and commercial success of its inaugural run, the celebrated digital series Wild Birds Revealed has officially returned for a highly anticipated second season. Presented through a continued creative partnership between the prestigious Cornell Lab of Ornithology and imaging pioneer OM System, the new season once again places world-renowned wildlife photographers—the father-and-son duo Tim and Russell Laman—front and center.
The series is designed to merge state-of-the-art camera technology with rigorous ornithological science, offering viewers an intimate, cinematic look into the behavior, ecology, and breathtaking aesthetics of North American bird species. Season 2 finds the Lamans traversing contrasting geographies, swapping between the humid wetlands of Florida and the sun-drenched chaparral and coastal regions of Southern California.
Armed with high-performance OM System camera bodies and long-reach telephoto lenses, the photographers capture ultra-sharp stills and hyper-detailed slow-motion video. The premiere episode, which is streaming now, zeroes in on two iridescent dynamos of the avian world: the vibrant pink-capped Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) and its striking cousin, the purple-crowned Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae). Through specialized optics and frame rates that defy the naked eye, the series deconstructs the physics of hummingbird flight, revealing the complex vortex-generating mechanics of their mid-air suspension.
Subsequent episodes slated for the four-part seasonal lineup promise to spotlight other iconic regional species, though the creators have kept precise details under wraps to maximize the element of discovery for viewers.
Chronology of the Partnership and Production
The journey leading to the launch of Wild Birds Revealed Season 2 represents a carefully orchestrated convergence of optical engineering, scientific outreach, and field-based conservation media.
Pre-2025 (The Genesis): Recognizing a growing public appetite for high-fidelity nature documentaries that also serve educational purposes, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology sought a premier optics partner capable of supporting field researchers and documentary makers in extreme, unpredictable environments. OM System—inheriting the legacy and micro-four-thirds engineering prowess of Olympus imaging—stepped forward as the ideal sponsor.
Late 2025 (Season 1 Launch & Reception): The first season of Wild Birds Revealed made its debut, focusing heavily on coastal and aerial masters. The production proved that compact, weather-sealed mirrorless systems could match, and in some cases exceed, the agility required for rigorous wildlife documentation. Season 1 explored the acrobatic flights of Tree Swallows, the apex aquatic hunting of Ospreys, and the comical yet majestic coastal nesting habits of Atlantic Puffins. All three foundational episodes remain accessible to the public as evergreen educational content.
Early to Mid-2026 (Field Expeditions): Building on the framework of the first season, Tim and Russell Laman mobilized a mobile production unit equipped with OM System flagship gear. They spent months staking out feeding grounds, native flowering plants (such as desert aloe and flowering eucalyptus), and migratory corridors across Southern California and Florida.
September 2026 (Season 2 Premiere): The official rollout began with the release of Episode 1, which shifts the spotlight entirely to Western hummingbirds. The remaining three episodes of the sophomore season are scheduled for sequential release, expanding into ecosystems that showcase unexpected avian adaptations.
Supporting Data and Technological Integration
The success of Wild Birds Revealed hinges not only on the fieldcraft of the Laman duo but also on the specific technological advantages provided by OM System’s hardware. Bird photography—particularly when dealing with subjects that beat their wings upwards of 50 to 80 times per second—presents extreme technical hurdles.
The Challenges of High-Speed Avian Videography
Wingbeat Frequency: Hummingbirds operate at speeds where traditional consumer cameras record mere blurs. Capturing clear wing feather articulation requires ultra-fast shutter speeds paired with high-frame-rate (HFR) slow-motion capabilities.
Low-Light and Close-Up Macro Focus: To capture the iridescent flash of an Anna’s Hummingbird gorget (throat feathers), photographers must manage rapidly changing angle-of-incidence light, where colors shift from deep magenta to dull gray depending on the sun’s position.
Field Portability: Wildlife filmmaking often demands hiking miles into rugged terrain. Bulky medium-format or heavy full-frame cinema rigs can limit a photographer’s mobility, whereas OM System’s lightweight, weather-sealed architecture allows creators to react instantly to fleeting behavioral moments.
According to behind-the-scenes technical notes, the Lamans utilized OM System’s advanced computational photography features—such as Pro Capture mode, which records images continuously before the shutter button is fully depressed—to freeze critical millisecond events, like a hummingbird breaking momentum to land on a thorny branch.
Official Responses and Stakeholder Insights
Key figures from both the corporate sponsorship side and the scientific institution expressed immense pride in the collaborative direction of the project.
Eiji Shirota, Head of the OM System Business Unit at OM Digital Solutions Corporation, remarked:
"We are truly honored to continue our collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a second year. 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. It is also a great source of pride for us that OM System camera systems were used to capture some of the remarkable moments in the lives of wild birds 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."
Tim Laman, veteran wildlife photographer and co-star of the series, shared his enthusiasm for the North American focus:
"We are very excited to share our new episodes of Wild Birds Revealed. 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."
Christian Camerota, Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, emphasized the educational and emotional core of the venture:
"The best storytelling can help people see even familiar birds in a completely new way. 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 for Conservation, Birdwatching, and Photography
Beyond its entertainment and artistic value, Wild Birds Revealed carries broader implications for grassroots conservation and the hobbyist photography community.
1. Fostering Environmental Stewardship Through Familiarity
While exotic rainforest species often dominate mainstream wildlife documentaries, the Cornell Lab emphasizes that local conservation begins in backyard gardens and regional parks. By focusing on species that North American residents encounter daily—such as swallows, ospreys, and hummingbirds—the series bridges the gap between scientific research and everyday urban/suburban nature appreciation. Viewers who understand the complex aerodynamic feats of a local Costa’s Hummingbird are statistically more likely to support native plant restoration, reduce pesticide usage, and advocate for wildlife corridors.
2. Democratizing Bird Photography Education
For amateur shutterbugs inspired by the stunning visuals in Wild Birds Revealed, the barriers to entry in wildlife photography can sometimes feel daunting. To counter this, OM System and media platforms like PetaPixel have rolled out comprehensive educational initiatives—such as The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bird Photography. Designed with insights from veteran field photographer and OM System Ambassador Ben Knoot, these resources distill over two decades of field experience into actionable lessons. Crucially, while endorsed by specific equipment manufacturers, the core tenets of fieldcraft, ethical distance, lighting management, and patience apply universally across all camera brands.
3. The Future of Science Communication
The ongoing partnership between OM Digital Solutions and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology serves as a blueprint for modern science communication. By pairing academic authority with cinematic visual arts, institutions can reach digital-native audiences across YouTube, streaming platforms, and social media, transforming passive viewers into active citizen scientists and conservation advocates.
Season 2 of Wild Birds Revealed is currently rolling out episodes via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s digital channels. Season 1 remains available for streaming, offering a complete look at Tree Swallows, Ospreys, and Atlantic Puffins.
