Martin Johnson Heade visited South America three times to experience the landscape and observe hummingbirds in their habitat. Heade was an artist and naturalist intent on capturing the rich iridescence of hummingbird feathers and butterfly wings. Hummingbirds were both a source of lifelong artistic inspiration and a personal passion. After moving to Florida, where he enjoyed feeding and observing the ruby-throated hummingbird, Heade also wrote columns in Forest and Stream magazine advocating for bird and land preservation.