Great Potoo
The Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is a true master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its surroundings with its bark-like plumage. This image was taken in Restrepo, Meta, Colombia, just a few blocks from the central park during an urban photo walk. Despite being in a bustling town, this nocturnal bird remained perfectly still, relying on its cryptic pattern to avoid detection. Capturing it in daylight was a rare opportunity to showcase its remarkable adaptations.
Photographed using a Canon R5 with an 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4x extender, I set my exposure to 1/180 sec, f/16, and ISO 1600 to balance sharpness and depth of field while maintaining enough light for a well-exposed shot. The soft, diffused lighting filtering through the canopy helped bring out the intricate feather details without harsh shadows. This encounter was a reminder that incredible wildlife can thrive even in unexpected urban spaces, making conservation awareness even more essential.
©2023 Adam Rainoff Photographer
Great Potoo
The Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is a true master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its surroundings with its bark-like plumage. This image was taken in Restrepo, Meta, Colombia, just a few blocks from the central park during an urban photo walk. Despite being in a bustling town, this nocturnal bird remained perfectly still, relying on its cryptic pattern to avoid detection. Capturing it in daylight was a rare opportunity to showcase its remarkable adaptations.
Photographed using a Canon R5 with an 800mm f/11 lens and a 1.4x extender, I set my exposure to 1/180 sec, f/16, and ISO 1600 to balance sharpness and depth of field while maintaining enough light for a well-exposed shot. The soft, diffused lighting filtering through the canopy helped bring out the intricate feather details without harsh shadows. This encounter was a reminder that incredible wildlife can thrive even in unexpected urban spaces, making conservation awareness even more essential.
©2023 Adam Rainoff Photographer