This photograph features a Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys) perched calmly on a bare branch in the lush Andean foothills at La Minga Ecolodge in Dapa, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The bird’s plumage reveals a soft blend of olive-green and brown tones, accented by pale speckling on its throat and chest. Its small, curved bill and watchful eye give it a poised yet alert demeanor. The clean branch contrasts against a softly blurred green background, achieved through a shallow depth of field, which isolates the subject and draws attention to the fine feather detail.
The shot was taken using a Canon EOS R5 paired with the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens at a focal length near the upper range for precise framing. Exposure settings were 1/250 second at f/6.7, ISO 800, providing a balance between sharpness and adequate light in the shaded forest environment. The lens’s image stabilization allowed for a steady handheld capture at this slower shutter speed. Natural light filtered through the canopy, creating even illumination without harsh highlights or deep shadows, which preserved subtle color transitions in the bird’s plumage.
This image reflects the patience required in wildlife photography—waiting for the exact moment when a subject pauses in perfect light and position. The challenge lay in anticipating the hummingbird’s movements, which are typically quick and erratic, and in aligning composition and focus before it darted away. By combining precise equipment use with an understanding of the bird’s behavior, this frame became a still portrait of a species often seen only in motion.
©2025 Adam Rainoff Photographer
