Blog-Layout
The Fiery-Throated Hummingbird by Jess Findlay
Daniela Louise Heinemann • May 22, 2020
A stunning photograph from a tiny bird with iridescent feathers.
If you have ever tried to capture a hummingbird yourself, you know that Jess did more than an amazing job by catching this Fiery-throated hummingbird. The photograph is stunning – From a visual and a science perspective.
This 4.3 inches long bird is endemic to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. An adult has a shiny green body plumage, a blue tail, and a white spot behind the eye. It often looks dark, but when the light catches it at the right angle the magical science happens: The gorget explodes with color and a dazzling rainbow appears.
This 4.3 inches long bird is endemic to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. An adult has a shiny green body plumage, a blue tail, and a white spot behind the eye. It often looks dark, but when the light catches it at the right angle the magical science happens: The gorget explodes with color and a dazzling rainbow appears.
This is the result of iridescent feathers and their microscopic structures. Depending on the angle, the light reflects differently and therefore the colors change. Hummingbirds have possibly the most iridescent feathers known on birds.
What exactly happens? Iridescence is the result of interference. Interference is a combination of reflection and refraction from two or more surfaces of thin films. We also know this phenomenon from soap bubbles or oil films. When light enters and leaves such films, the light is reflected or refracted when entering and leaving the film. Depending on the thickness of the film and the angle, the light interferes constructively or destructively, meaning reinforcing or canceling a particular wavelength. Different colors therefore appear at different angles.
The following video from Rumble Viral
shows the beautiful birds and the iridescent effect in action.
VISIT AND FOLLOW JESS
ABOUT
Born and raised just outside Vancouver, in Burnaby, British Columbia - an area rich in biodiversity - it didn't take Jess long to spark an interest in the natural world. His childhood was spent hiking and birdwatching with his family, throughout the Pacific Northwest. With help from his father, also an avid hobbyist nature photographer at the time, this interest in the outdoors developed into a passion for artistically documenting living creatures and dramatic landscapes.
"My goal as a photographer is to share my images and experiences to inspire more interest and compassion for the natural world. Hopefully after browsing my galleries, you're inspired to get outdoors to find your own adventures, explore nature, seek out the creatures we share the planet with, and most of all, advocate for their protection." Jess Findlay
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniela Louise Heinemann is the Founder of LIFE IS COLORFUL. Color is her passion for more than a decade and the company name represents her attitude and approach to life. She is inspired by the beauty of nature, design and creativity & motivated by the almost endless opportunities our daily lifes offer. When she is not working on color topics somewhere in the world, she is likely creating a new recipe in her kitchen, out for a bike ride or dancing her energy off in her salsa shoes.
MORE RECENT ARTICLES
The evolution of color pickers & how to pick colors today.
Why color cosmetics is beyond color and about the processing power of the human brain.
An installation series where the essence of every carefully considered color can be appreciated.
