I took this photo while walking through a wooded area where the light was filtering softly through the canopy. The bird caught my eye because of the striking contrast between its iridescent green feathers and the muted browns of its body and the branch it perched on. The challenge was getting close enough without startling it—every small movement risked scaring it away. I used a 75-300mm telephoto zoom kit lens on my canon rebel t7, which allowed me to keep my distance while still capturing fine details in the feathers.

The lighting was entirely natural, with dappled sunlight breaking through the leaves. This created a soft bokeh in the background that helped separate the bird from its surroundings. I had to time the shot carefully, waiting for the bird to turn its head just enough so the light highlighted the textures and colors of its plumage.