A female Golden-collared Manakin (Manacus vitellinus) appears against the soft dawn glow in the oceanfront garden of Casa Galú, Capurganá, Chocó, Colombia. She perches on a slender heliconia bract, her olive-green body and golden throat collar illuminated by the first Caribbean light. Slate-gray wings and bright orange legs contrast sharply with the creamy bokeh of tropical foliage, while the gentle sea breeze stirs palms overhead.
Technical precision was essential in this low-light scenario. I shot handheld with a Canon EOS R5 paired with an RF 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4× extender, achieving a total effective reach of 1120mm. The extender fixed the aperture at f/16, so I raised ISO 3200 to lift shadow detail beneath the canopy. The camera then selected a shutter speed of 1/20 second—fast enough to freeze her subtle movements, yet slow enough to demand steady breathing and careful handholding. This combination of settings balanced depth of field, exposure, and sharpness, allowing the fine textures of her plumage and the subtle iridescence of her throat to emerge clearly.
Casa Galú’s handcrafted cabanas, open-air lounges, and coastal gardens provide an ideal backdrop for wildlife photography, blending comfort with immersion in nature. Capturing this rare subject in a cultivated yet wild setting underscores the potential for thoughtful hospitality to support conservation. Each image I create aims to inspire responsible exploration and a deeper appreciation for the fragile ecosystems that sustain these remarkable birds.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
