Magnificent Hummingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted January 30, 2010115 views8 comments

Canon 40D, 100-400mm @ 400. 1/400, f/7.1, ISO 800. Crop to 56% (5.6 of 10.1MP).

This is another one from the files, taken May09 at Beatty's, Miller Canyon, AZ.

Magnificent Hummingbirds have given me trouble so far--it's hard to catch them with their colors catching the light. This one I got just a hint of the purple on the crown and blue-greens on the throat. I like the setting and detail.

Comments and critiques appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on January 30, 2010 at 6:45 PM

very nice exposure and details ...

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 30, 2010 at 8:34 PM

Maybe not the shot you wanted, but still a keeper. Very nice detail in the larger version.

I've avoided Beatty's in recent years based on his attitude towards photographers in his posts to the AZ bird list. How did you find shooting there in 2009?

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 30, 2010 at 8:45 PM

Rich,

it was my first time shooting there (3rd visit overall), and I didn't have any issues. It was a pretty quiet day--only a couple other people were up at the pay site. I have not met Tom, but his wife, Edith, was very welcoming. I don't know for sure, but I think their issues are with folks trying to do elaborate set-up photography and interfering with other visitors. Knowing your photo ethic, I'm sure that would not apply to you. Tom's posts to the listserv aren't always totally clear what he's getting at, but it's my impression that he's done some improvements on the upper site and wants to make it more friendly for photogs--but that's just my interpretation of the posts.

Can't beat the site either....it's got all my AZ favorites: Magnificent, White-eared, Broad-billed. (and all the others too.)

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 30, 2010 at 9:19 PM

I agree, Brian, the detail is a very nice attribute of this image. I can almost feel the texture. The colors are not outstanding but they are o.k. The light green surroundings match the bird very well. Even the vertical dark twig is fine because my eye tends to follow it towards the bird. Very nice capture of a pensive hummingbird.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 31, 2010 at 12:50 AM

Good detail and the environment gives it a jungle type setting, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 31, 2010 at 8:25 AM

A tough bird to get good light on that is for sure Brian. I just wish I had some place to shoot these guys let alone get a shot like this. I like the bird's pose and the habitat. Detials in the larger image are very good.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 31, 2010 at 10:59 AM

I really like the pose of this hummer. Also how the feathers almost look like armor. Your details are quite good and I like the little spark of iridescence here and there.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 1, 2010 at 7:59 PM

Brian

I think you got nice details in this bird, especially noticeable in the larger version. I like the pose, the setting and the light in the bird's eyes, as well as the sharpness & details.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments