This photograph of a Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus) was taken in the coastal rainforest of Capurganá, Chocó, Colombia. The bird had just emerged from a cavity it had carved into the trunk of a palm tree—a nest entrance perfectly aligned with the vertical grain of the bark and the curve of the natural hollow. It paused briefly, alert and upright, allowing me a rare opportunity to capture its posture and colors in ideal lighting.
To photograph this moment, I used the Canon EOS R5 paired with the RF 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4x extender, giving me a focal length of 1120mm. This setup provided the reach necessary to frame the woodpecker high on the trunk without disturbing it. The combination forced an aperture of f/16, which helped maintain sharpness across both the subject and the textured bark surrounding it.
The camera selected a shutter speed of 1/350 second in response to the relatively dim light filtering through the canopy. To maintain a balanced exposure, I set the ISO to 3200. Despite the high sensitivity, the R5 produced a clean image with excellent detail in the plumage, from the vibrant red crown to the faint checkering on its wings.
This image reflects both the technical and observational patience required when working in shaded, biodiverse environments like Capurganá. It also speaks to the power of mirrorless technology in capturing fine detail at long distances under natural light.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
