Photographed in the dense mangrove wetlands of Capurganá, Chocó, Colombia, this juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) presented a rare and compelling opportunity to showcase the early life stage of a species more commonly encountered under the cover of dusk. Still dressed in its spotted immature plumage, the heron stood motionless in the low light beneath the mangrove canopy, watching the water for movement.
This image was taken using the Canon EOS R5 paired with the RF 800mm f/11 lens. With limited light filtering through the mangrove canopy, I selected ISO 1600 to preserve detail while maintaining a usable shutter speed. The camera’s autoexposure, set in program mode, selected 1/750 second. The internal stabilization of the R5 paired with a steady stance allowed for a sharp frame without motion blur.
I composed the shot with the heron framed by the layered roots and green shadows of the mangrove, allowing its streaked juvenile pattern to contrast with the background. While the adult of this species is recognized for its bold crown and slate-gray body, the juvenile carries a more camouflaged, intricate feather pattern—a perfect match for its secretive habitat.
Capturing this moment was a reminder that fieldwork often means embracing less-than-ideal light, adapting to unstable terrain, and waiting quietly for the subject to offer a window into its behavior. The Canon R5’s high ISO capabilities and lens stabilization made this shot possible in conditions that would have challenged most systems.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
