Reflection Magnet

This is a rather unique image in that the gorget of this young male Allen's Hummingbird is reflecting a color range from red-orange to orange-green. This happens only when the light reflects off the gorget at just the right angle and intensity. Notice the feathers toward the back of his neck are a deep brown color. Here the angle of the light is not reflecting off the feathers. And if the light were more intense, the orange hued feathers would be lit up like light bulbs on a Christmas tree, and all detail in them would be lost. The little chunks toward the center of his gorget is just pollen from the last flower he visited.