I photographed a Pale-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis anthophilus) hovering just above a shaded creek in the coastal rainforest of Capurganá, Chocó, Colombia. The bird’s ghost-white throat patch and slender, curved bill stand out crisply against a softly blurred backdrop of rippling water and deep-green foliage. Each rapid wingbeat describes a delicate arc, conveying both power and grace in a moment suspended between forest and stream.
To achieve this image, I worked handheld in shutter-priority mode at 1/1500 second to freeze the hermit’s subtle wing movements while preserving a sense of ambient motion. My setup included a Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM lens paired with a 1.4× extender, providing an effective focal length of 1120mm and raising the aperture to f/16. ISO 3200 allowed me to capture rich detail under the low, diffused light of the canopy without introducing excessive noise. A steady stance and controlled breathing were essential for maintaining precise framing at this extreme reach.
This photograph also highlights the Pale-bellied Hermit’s trap-lining behavior, in which the bird follows a regular circuit of nectar-rich flowers and creekside blooms that can span hundreds of meters each morning. Documenting this species in flight underscores the critical importance of conserving riparian corridors and intact understory habitat. I hope this image inspires fellow Canon Community members and nature enthusiasts to explore, document, and protect these dynamic ecosystems.
©2023 Adam Rainoff Photographer
