# 14-year-old photographer captures Ruby-topaz Hummingbird in split-second shot

> 14-year-old Camilo Sanabria Grajales wins Honorable Mention for Ruby-topaz Hummingbird photo at Audubon Photography Awards
- Title: 14-year-old photographer captures Ruby-topaz Hummingbird in…
- Summary: 14-year-old Camilo Sanabria Grajales wins Honorable Mention for Ruby-topaz Hummingbird photo at Audubon Photography Awards Camilo captured a Ruby-topaz…
- Keywords: camilo sanabria grajales, ruby-topaz hummingbird, audubon photography awards, honorable mention, sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 dg os hsm, colombia, wildlife photography, 14-year-old photographer, 1/2500 sec, uva national park, buga colombia, nictitating membrane
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/photography/awards-and-competitions/i-searched-for-the-ruby-topaz-hummingbird-for-years-says-14-year-old-award-winning-photographer-until-his-big-day-came-he-focused-on-it-just-in-time
- Published: 2026-09-28T12:21:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: camilo sanabria grajales, ruby-topaz hummingbird, audubon photography awards, honorable mention, sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 dg os hsm, colombia, wildlife photography, 14-year-old photographer, 1/2500 sec, uva national park, buga colombia, nictitating membrane
## Camilo's big break
14-year-old Camilo Sanabria Grajales won Audubon Photography Awards' first South American youth prize for capturing a Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

> I searched for the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird for years
## The hunt begins
Camilo tried multiple times to photograph the rare bird, including trips to Uva National Park in Colombia where he saw no birds

> I had to deal with an allergic reaction
## The perfect moment
At 1/2500 sec in Buga, Colombia, Camilo captured a Ruby-topaz Hummingbird as it approached him

> Then one approached me. I focused on it just in time
## The gear
Camilo used a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens at 546mm for the shot

> I got this unique photo that captures its sun-drenched colors
## The bird's secret
The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird is small but has brilliant colors and prefers open areas like savannas and forest edges

> It favors relatively open country such as savannas and forest edges
## Judge's praise
Judge Jaír F. Coll called the photo a 'dreamlike setting' with the bird's expression showing 'a sense of peace'

> The bird's subtle expression conveys a sense of peace
## Key takeaway

Camilo captured a Ruby-topaz Hummingbird in a split-second shot at 1/2500 sec using a Sigma 150-600mm lens