Marvelous Spatuletail Photograph by Luis A. Mazariegos
Intended to turn female heads, this male's garish tail feathers brag that his biological bank account is full and able to foot the cost of such flashy features. But the bird, whose range is limited to the east bank of Peru's Utcubamba River, is having trouble competing with humans and is listed as endangered due to forest destruction. Scientists estimate that 10 percent of hummingbird species are endangered.
Camera: Bronica SQ-A Film Type: Fujichrome Provia Professional Lens: 110 macro Speed and F-Stop: 1/500 @ f/32
Weather Conditions: Overcast Time of Day: Between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Lighting Techniques: Flash Special Equipment: Portable studio with a modified Norman 200B flash system