Photographed at La Minga Ecolodge in Dapa, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, this image features the striking multicolored tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima), one of Colombia’s most vibrant and sought-after bird species. Endemic to the country and inhabiting only a narrow range of montane cloud forests in the Western and Central Andes, this tanager is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss.
In the frame, the bird is perched momentarily on a clean, bare branch, its vivid orange head and throat glowing against a backdrop of softly blurred green foliage. The yellow breast, turquoise-blue wings, and emerald back create a brilliant contrast that draws the eye immediately. Soft, diffused morning light filters through the canopy, adding natural highlights to the bird’s plumage without overexposing the intense colors.
The photograph was taken with a Canon EOS R5 paired with an RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens, handheld. The settings were 1/250 second, f/8, ISO 800, allowing enough depth of field to keep the bird sharply in focus while maintaining a pleasingly soft bokeh in the background. The lens’s image stabilization proved essential for steadying the shot at this shutter speed in the low light of the forest understory.
Capturing this species requires patience and preparation, as it moves quickly through the canopy and often stays hidden among dense leaves. On this morning, I waited quietly near a fruiting tree, anticipating its arrival. The decisive moment came when the tanager briefly paused in open light, presenting a clean composition and an unobstructed view. The resulting image not only documents the beauty of this rare bird but also reflects the importance of conserving its fragile cloud forest habitat.
©2025 Adam Rainoff Photographer
