This photograph of an Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) was taken at first light on the edge of the Darién jungle near Capurganá, Chocó, Colombia. The bird was calmly perched on a slender branch just beyond the forest edge, its gray-olive plumage and subtle wing bars illuminated by the soft, diffused dawn light. The pale throat and sharply pointed bill contrast elegantly with the creamy green bokeh of the tropical background, creating a sense of quiet presence in a complex environment.
Technical execution was critical under these low-light conditions. I shot handheld with the Canon EOS R5, fitted with the RF 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4× extender for an effective focal length of 1120mm. The combination fixed the aperture at f/16, so I set ISO to 3200 to lift shadow detail beneath the dense canopy. The camera then selected a shutter speed of 1/20 second—challenging at such reach, yet the Pewee’s still vigilance and a steady hand yielded a sharp frame. The result balances depth of field and clarity, rendering fine feather textures while softening the complex forest backdrop.
Capturing this migratory flycatcher in its tropical wintering grounds underscores the connectivity of hemispheric ecosystems and the importance of preserving stopover habitats. This image reflects my commitment to conservation photography: patient fieldcraft, precise technique, and a desire to reveal the hidden beauty of migratory species.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
