Andean Hillstar hummingbird feeding on Puya Raimondii flowers

A male Andean hillstar hummingbird (Oreotrochilus estella) on the flower spike of the Puya raimondii, one of the most spectacular plants found in the... more

by James Brunker

Title

Andean Hillstar hummingbird feeding on Puya Raimondii flowers

Artist

James Brunker

Medium

Photograph

Description

A male Andean hillstar hummingbird (Oreotrochilus estella) on the flower spike of the Puya raimondii, one of the most spectacular plants found in the Andes. Also called Queen of the Andes, it is the worlds largest bromeliad. The flower spike is often 9-10m high, one of few occasions when a telephoto lens is more useful than a macro lens for flower photography! The spike contains more than three thousand flowers and six million seeds, providing a huge supply of nectar for hummingbirds as well as a warm place to sleep during the icy Andean nights. The plant flowers after around 40 years and then dies. It is considered an endangered species and is only found at several high altitude sites in Peru and a few in Bolivia.

Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without written permission strictly prohibited.

Uploaded

March 27th, 2014