During my recent journey to Restrepo, Meta, Colombia, I had the privilege of capturing an image of the vibrant Lettered Aracari (Pteroglossus inscriptus). This colorful bird, with its striking yellow belly and iconic bill, perched effortlessly in the lush tropical landscape. Restrepo, located near Villavicencio, provides an ideal blend of natural beauty and proximity to urban life, making it a unique destination for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
For this shot, I used my Canon R5 paired with the 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4x extender. The long focal length allowed me to photograph the aracari from a safe distance, preserving the natural behavior of the bird while capturing its vibrant details. To ensure the image quality was sharp, I relied on the camera’s Program mode, which automatically selected a shutter speed of 1/60 second. This setting worked well for the available light, helping freeze the bird’s posture despite the low light conditions of the dense forest.
The ISO was set at 1600 to balance the shadows and highlight details in the feathers, especially in the intricate plumage and the bright yellow belly. The soft light filtering through the trees added an ethereal quality to the scene, enhancing the contrast between the bird and its background. The result was a detailed, natural representation of the aracari, capturing both its beauty and the essence of its habitat.
This experience reaffirmed the importance of conservation and preserving habitats like those in Restrepo. It is critical to continue efforts to protect these regions so future generations can continue to appreciate and photograph such incredible wildlife.
©2023 Adam Rainoff Photographer
