This photograph of the Andean Emerald (Uranomitra franciae) was taken at La Minga Ecolodge in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, a place well known for its rich biodiversity and opportunities to observe hummingbirds in their natural habitat. The Andean Emerald is a small hummingbird that thrives across a range of elevations in the Andes, and although common in the region, each encounter reveals its unique brilliance.
In this image, the bird is perched delicately on a branch, allowing a rare moment of stillness in the life of a species that is most often seen darting rapidly from flower to flower. Its plumage shines with emerald-green iridescence, shifting in tone depending on the angle of the light, while the bright white breast adds a sense of contrast and balance to the composition. Subtle violet hues can sometimes appear at the throat, depending on how the feathers catch the light, and these fine details were preserved with careful attention to exposure.
To create this image, I used the Canon EOS R5 paired with the RF800mm f/11 lens. The long focal length allowed me to maintain a comfortable distance while still isolating the subject and capturing fine feather detail. I chose a shutter speed of 1/3000 second, which I had set in anticipation of photographing hummingbirds in flight. Even though this individual was perched, the fast speed ensured absolute sharpness and eliminated any chance of motion blur. The aperture of f/11 provided enough depth of field to keep the bird crisp while letting the background melt into a soft blur, creating natural separation. With the forest canopy filtering light, an ISO of 3200 was necessary to balance the exposure and preserve detail without sacrificing speed or clarity.
The combination of technical precision, patience, and favorable conditions came together in this frame to highlight the Andean Emerald as both a subject of beauty and ecological significance. For me, it is a reminder of how even the most common species can inspire awe when observed closely.
©2025 Adam Rainoff Photographer
