Hummingbirds are among the most fascinating creatures on the planet. We have all been captivated by their 60-80 beats per second wing speed, their ability to fly in all directions, their hummingbird heartbeat (up to 1,200 beats per minute), vibrant colors, and the sheer joy we experience during an encounter with one of these tiny creatures. But if all that was not amazing enough, did you know that hummingbird wings can turn into rainbows?
It is a rare, natural phenomenon called diffraction of light. The optical phenomenon occurs in hummingbirds when light passes through their feathers. A hummingbird’s feather is composed of very tiny hair-like structures closely positioned in parallel rows, which act as a diffraction grating — and that can create a rainbow effect in the right circumstances.
Australian artist and photographer Christian Spencer captured the rare natural phenomenon of light diffracting through hummingbird wings in his award-winning photography series WINGED PRISM. Spencer witnessed the prism effect in Rio de Janeiro when a Black Jacobin hummingbird was flying past the sun with its wings open. In the photos taken by Christian, we are able to observe the color spreading that commonly occurs when a diffraction grating is illuminated by white light— from the sun in this case. Due to a mix of specific atmospheric conditions and the delicate feathers of the hummingbird, the white light of the sun passing through the plumed filter creates a prism effect, filling the wings of the tiny bird with a wash of rainbows.
Spencer explains, “In 2014 I decided to capture the same natural phenomenon with my photographic camera resulting in the series WINGED PRISMS. Only having a specific number of days throughout the year to register the photos because of the sun alignment in-between palm trees and migration of particular species, it was over a number of years that the whole series came about. Experimenting using different cloud formations to act as double filters gave the series different moods and textures. Many photos of the series went on to win important awards and proves that there is always a different and revealing way to photograph nature.”
Spencer’s photographs are explained in the peer reviewed scientific paper “Diffraction of light through a hummingbird’s wings” by Francisco Jose Torcal-Milla, published in The Physics Teacher journal. Spencer's work captures a true moment where science meets art.
Winged Prism, Rainbow Ballet, Stardust, Cosmic Angel, Chariot of the Sun, Cloud Angel ©Christian Spencer. Black Jacobin Hummingbird
About Black Jacobin Hummingbirds
Name: Black Jacobin hummingbird
Scientific Name: Florisuga fusca
Range: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Population: Not quantified
Interesting Fact: The Black Jacobin's song is "a series of high-pitched hissing notes above 10 kHz, 'szee..szee....szee..szee..szee....szee...'." Its calls include "a short 'tsik' or 'chik', and a short trill 'tr-r-r'."
About Christian Spencer and the WINGED PRISM series
The full WINGED PRISM series is presented in Christian's book BIRDS: POETRY IN THE SKY by teNeues publishing. The fascination birds evoke in us continues unabated. Australian artist and photographer Christian Spencer, living in the vicinity of the Brazilian rainforest since 2001, has surrendered to it as well. “The camera is my brush,” is how he describes his style. His photographs truly capture the poetry of nature, letting its beauty speak for itself ― which is why he forgoes any image editing. He was the first to capture the breathtakingly fast beating of hummingbirds' wings in the sunlight, forming a rainbow in the air. The world of birds unfolds before his lens in all its colorful glory and elegance: in reflections on the water, between blossoms and trees, and high above the treetops.
Purchase BIRDS: POETRY IN THE SKY:
Purchase limited edition prints of WINGED PRISM: https://www.christianspencer.pro.br/PhotosNEW/page14.html
Follow Christian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianspencerphoto
About The Physics Teacher
The Physics Teacher is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by AIP Publishing on behalf of the American Association of Physics Teachers. It covers the history and philosophy of physics, applied physics, physics education (curriculum development, pedagogy, instructional lab equipment, etc.), and book reviews. It was established in 1963 and the current editor-in-chief is Gary White (George Washington University).
The International Hummingbird Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization dedicated to educating people about hummingbirds and working internationally to protect them.
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