“Opal Wings.” All images © Christian Spencer, shared with permission
Poetry in the Sky is a fitting title for a typesetting of the elegant images of Australian photographer Christian Spencer. Slated for release next month, the volume gathers approximately two decades’ worth birds Spencer encountered during visits to the Brazilian Amazon, including macaws, emus, and the species he’s perhaps most notable for documenting: the hummingbird.
Taken when the creatures are mid-flight and vibration their wings at incredible speeds, Spencer’s striking photos capture sunlight as it filters through their feathers, emitting a full spectrum of color. The opalescent miracle is caused by diffraction and transforms their limbs into tiny, unnoticeable rainbows.
Poetry in the Sky contains several photos of the prismatic birdsmany of which we’ve featured previously on Colossalin wing to dozens of spare images of avian life. Pre-order a reprinting from Bookshop, pick up a print, and find increasingly of Spencer’s work on Instagram.
“Stardust”
“Sundance”
“Hummingbird Rain”
“Holy Water”
“3 Amigos”
