A booted racket-tail hummingbird closes in on a stem of small red flowers in the cloud forest of Ecuador, wings swept up and long tail streaming behind. In a fraction of a second it would be at the bloom. I set up beside the flowers and waited for it to return on its feeding circuit.
The booted racket-tail is one of the most extraordinary birds of the Andes. It weighs about three grams. The male has two bare tail shafts that end in dark paddles, the "rackets", and puffs of white feathers around his legs that look like tiny boots. Here the rackets trail behind him at full length, and the white boots are just visible beneath his body.
The frame is built on space. The flowers and leaves sit on the right edge. The bird enters from the left, and the rest of the picture is soft, glowing olive and gold, the out-of-focus forest behind. That empty space gives a sense of speed and direction.
It is a calm, modern piece that suits a living room, bedroom or study. It pairs well with natural timber and greenery, and it is a lovely gift for a bird lover or anyone who has travelled in South America.
THE PRINT
Archival pigment print (giclée) on museum-grade fine art paper. Limited edition of 30. Hand-signed and numbered by John Wiseman and issued with a signed certificate of authenticity.
SIZE
Image size 76 x 51 cm (30 x 20 in). Other sizes are available. Please enquire.
DELIVERY AND FRAMING
Made to order in Sydney, Australia. Shipped unframed, rolled in a protective tube. Custom framing in natural timber, black or white can be added through Bluethumb.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
John Wiseman is an award-winning Australian wildlife and nature photographer with more than 25 years in the field, photographing across six continents. Winner, Science & Nature, International Loupe Awards. Represented by IRID Gallery, Melbourne and Sydney.