Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Hovering Above Rain-wet Foliage

A side-on hover shows the red-based bill, emerald body and extended rufous tail above water-beaded tropical leaves at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa in Costa Rica. The green body, reddish tail and red-based bill mark this widespread Central American garden hummingbird. The exposure of 1/3200 sec, f/4 and ISO 3200 freezes the decisive body position and separates the principal wing and tail feathers while retaining only fine traces of motion at the fastest edges; the photograph was made in natural light without flash.