Hummingbirds are hard to photograph because they barely stay still, even when they seem to hang in the air. That makes them a fitting opener for the second season of Wild Birds Revealed, a video series from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology with support from OM System. The first Season 2 episode was already available when PetaPixel covered the series on September 16, 2026.
The series is again led by the father-and-son wildlife photographers Tim and Russell Laman. This season they worked in Florida and Southern California, using OM System gear to photograph colorful North American birds that many viewers will know from their own backyards.
The first episode covers two Southern California species: the pink Anna’s Hummingbird and the purple Costa’s Hummingbird. The Lamans combine still photos with slow-motion video to show the birds’ unusual way of beating their wings. Slowed down, that motion lets them hover almost perfectly still in mid-air, which is nearly impossible to see at normal speed.
“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,” Tim Laman said. He added that the team filmed “some bird behaviors that may surprise you.” He hasn’t said which birds star in the three remaining episodes.
Why a camera maker funds a bird show
For OM System, the series is brand building in the niche where its compact Micro Four Thirds kit is popular. Wildlife and bird photographers value small, light telephoto setups. PetaPixel’s report doesn’t say which camera bodies or lenses the Lamans used. It only says OM System cameras and lenses captured the footage.
“We are truly honored to continue our collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a second year,” said Eiji Shirota, head of the OM System Business Unit at OM Digital Solutions Corporation. He called it “a great source of pride” that OM System cameras captured some of the moments in the series. He said he hopes it will encourage viewers to go out and see nature for themselves.
The Cornell Lab describes the project in terms of conservation. “The best storytelling can help people see even familiar birds in a completely new way,” said Christian Camerota, senior director of Integrated Marketing and Communications at the Cornell Lab. The series aims to deepen people’s love of birds and encourage them to help protect the natural world.
What’s available to watch
- Season 2: the first episode, on Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, is out. Three more episodes are planned, and their subjects haven’t been announced.
- Season 1: the Cornell Lab and OM System announced it on September 9, 2025. All three episodes can be watched: Ospreys, Tree Swallows and Atlantic Puffins.
- Where to watch: the Cornell Lab’s YouTube channel and its All About Birds website, according to the Season 1 press release.
For viewers who want to try bird photography themselves, PetaPixel also points to its Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bird Photography, made with help from OM System. The guide features OM System Ambassador Ben Knoot, who has more than 20 years of field experience. His advice applies to any camera brand, not just OM System.
