In the dense greenery of Peru’s cloud forest, there is an emerald flash that defies the speed of sight. This is the Racket-tail Hummingbird, one of the most elegant and aerodynamic birds in the world. Observing this tiny acrobat perched calmly, as in this photograph, is a rare privilege; usually, its wings move so fast that we only perceive a hum and a blur of color.

For a photographer, capturing the perfection of its iridescent plumage and the delicacy of its crest is to achieve a naturalistic masterpiece that celebrates the complexity of evolution in the heart of the Amazon.
Read More «Gems in Motion: The Fascinating Racket-tail Hummingbird in the Routes of Manú»