Crimson Sunbird by Tareq Uddin Ahmed

While resting in the lush surroundings of Kaptai National Park, the photographer’s attention was captured by a fleeting movement initially mistaken for a butterfly. Upon closer inspection through the lens, a vibrant Crimson Sunbird revealed itself, poised in the delicate act of gathering nectar. This image captures a moment of quiet serendipity, showcasing the bird's brilliant plumage against the soft, natural backdrop of the forest. The photograph is award-worthy for its sharp focus and the photographer's ability to transform a spontaneous encounter into a compelling wildlife portrait, highlighting the intricate beauty of avian life in its natural habitat.

Canon EOS 70D with EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L
Exposure 1/250sec @ f/5.6 | ISO 640 | Focal Length 300mm

Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Tareq Uddin Ahmed

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Bangladesh in 1980, Tareq Uddin Ahmed is a dedicated photographer based in Chittagong. Since beginning his photographic journey in 2011, he has become a prominent figure in the local wildlife community and a founding member of the Chittagong Bird Club. While he specializes in bird photography, his portfolio also features exquisite macro work capturing flowers and butterflies. Having gained recognition in local publications, he is now focused on sharing his passion for the natural world with a global audience.

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Award Winner Photo of the Day

Award Date January 23, 2014

67.0

AWARD SCORE

Value 13.0

Clarity 12.0

Composition 18.0

Style 12.0

Skill 12.0

Photograph Location

Kaptai National Park, Rangamati, Bangladesh

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Tareq Uddin Ahmed Photography

Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares

5.0/5 points

1,824/1,000 Social Share

Page Views

5.0/5 points

14,883/2,500 Page View

Reviews

0.1/5 points

1/100 Review

Submissions

2.8/5 points

276/500 Submission

Jury Score: 67.0/80

Resonance Score: 12.9/20

Total Award Score: 79.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review

The bird’s trajectory creates a diagonal axis that slices the frame, anchoring the composition against the soft-focus foliage. It’s a precise geometry. The negative space isn't merely empty; it’s a calculated buffer that prevents the subject from suffocating. I’ve rarely seen such disciplined placement in wildlife work. The tension holds because the beak aligns perfectly with the floral fulcrum. It’s a rare moment of structural clarity that doesn't rely on the subject's inherent charm.

Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review

At 300mm and f/5.6, the focal plane is razor-thin, yet you’ve held the Sunbird’s iridescence with clinical precision. The diffraction of light across those iridescent feathers is, in the strictest physical sense, extraordinary. I’m genuinely moved by how the lens resolves the nectar-laden beak against that creamy, out-of-focus foliage. It’s a rare moment where the glass doesn't just capture a bird; it dissects the very biology of light. You’ve pushed that Canon sensor to its absolute limit.

James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review

1/250sec at f/5.6, 300mm, ISO 640. It’s a precarious balance. At 300mm, 1/250sec is pushing the limits of handheld stability; you’re lucky the vibration reduction held. Shooting wide open at f/5.6 isolates the subject, but the depth of field is razor-thin. I’ve seen enough motion blur to know this was a gamble. It paid off. The focus on the eye is sharp. It’s technically sound, even if the shutter speed makes me nervous.

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review

That iridescent throat, a feverish, arterial red, vibrates against the muted, mossy verdancy of the Kaptai undergrowth, echoing the way Vermeer’s light clings to a velvet bodice. It’s a collision of temperatures that makes my own pulse quicken; the bird’s plumage isn't merely pigment, but a liquid, searing heat. One finds the forest’s olive-drab shadows receding, yielding entirely to that sudden, violent flare of life, a chromatic rupture that feels, quite frankly, like a miracle.

Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review

We look at this Crimson Sunbird and we’re reminded that portraiture isn’t just for people. Tareq waited in the silence of Kaptai, listening to the forest’s rhythm until the bird revealed itself. It’s a fleeting, vibrant conversation caught in nectar-gathering. I’m struck by how the bird’s posture feels like a deliberate pose, a tiny soul caught in a moment of grace. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to, over and over again.

Reflections on this Photograph

By Rashid Noor

The Weight of a Breath

Why do we assume that the most significant events in our lives must be loud or heavy? We measure our existence by milestones—the grand arrivals, the departures, the shifts in the earth beneath our feet.

Read the reflection →

By Yuki Sato

The Weight of a Wingbeat

There is a profound grace in the small, fleeting things that ask for nothing. We often measure our days by the heavy milestones, the loud achievements, and the grand shifts in our lives.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

Share your thoughts about this award-winning photograph. Your reviews contribute to the community engagement score.

6 replies

minhaz says:
January 25, 2014 at 03:37

this photograph is a masterpiece, one of the best i’ve seen here. kudos to the photographer. what a bird and what a great capture !
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Tareq Uddin Ahmed

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

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