The female Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys) is a small, beautifully marked species native to the cloud forests of the Andes. During my visit to La Minga Ecolodge near Cali, Colombia, situated at 1,988 meters above sea level, I encountered this exquisite bird. Known for its speckled throat, pale buffy eyebrow, and dark tail with buffy edges, the female Speckled Hummingbird exemplifies the intricate beauty found in nature.
I used my Canon R5 paired with a 100-500mm lens set to 500mm. Anticipating fast movements, I had my shutter speed locked at 1/1000 second in TV mode, ensuring I could capture hummingbirds in flight. However, when this individual perched briefly, I quickly framed and shot, benefiting from the R5’s advanced stabilization system, which kept the image sharp despite the telephoto range. The aperture was set at f/6.7, allowing for a balanced depth of field while maintaining enough light for a clean exposure. The ISO was fixed at 400, leveraging the R5’s noise-handling capabilities for a nearly grain-free result.
The soft, filtered light from the forest canopy gently illuminated the hummingbird, emphasizing its delicate feather details and subtle color transitions. This moment was a reminder of the magic found in Colombia’s cloud forests and the importance of preserving these vital habitats.
©2021 Adam Rainoff Photographer
