This photograph of the Fawn-breasted Brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides) was taken at La Minga Ecolodge in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The setting, deep in the cloud forest, provided both the challenge and the reward of working in dim, filtered light. The bird’s emerald back and warm fawn-colored breast stood out beautifully, but the highlight of the scene was the iridescent pink throat patch, a feature that only appears when the light strikes from the perfect angle. Waiting for that brief shimmer was a test of patience and timing.
The Canon R5 with the RF 800mm f/11 lens gave me the reach and detail needed to focus on this small subject tucked within dense foliage. A shutter speed of 1/250 second was chosen, which allowed me to photograph the perched bird without introducing blur from subtle movements. The aperture of f/11 balanced sharpness and depth, keeping the bird well-defined while allowing the background to fade into a smooth blur. Because the light was limited under the canopy, I increased the ISO to 3200. This decision ensured a proper exposure while maintaining the natural vibrancy of the bird’s colors, and the R5 handled the noise well, preserving fine details.
For me, this image represents the delicate intersection of patience, light, and precision. Capturing the throat’s pink iridescence required aligning my perspective with the fleeting changes of light, which made the moment feel even more significant when it finally appeared. It is these quiet victories in the field that make the challenge of photographing hummingbirds so meaningful.
©2025 Adam Rainoff Photographer
