A hummingbird with a long, curved bill hovers in the Ecuadorian forest, wings a blur and head turned in profile. The bill is the whole story here: slender, gently curved and almost as long as the bird's body.
Hummingbird bills have evolved to fit the flowers they feed from. Long, curved bills like this one reach deep into curved, tubular blooms that shorter-billed birds and most insects cannot use. The tongue does the rest, flicking in and out many times a second to lap up the nectar inside.
I photographed the bird as it hovered, with a slow enough shutter to show the movement of the wings while the head stayed sharp. That contrast between stillness and motion gives the picture its energy. The iridescent feathers on the crown and back shine blue and green, and the background stays a soft, cool slate so the bird stands out cleanly.
It is a calm, contemporary piece for a living room, bedroom, study or office. It pairs well with neutral and natural interiors, and it is a thoughtful 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.