Scintillant hummingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted January 31, 2010159 views9 comments

Of all the Hummingbirds we have seen in Costa Rica, this is one of my favourites. The Scintillant Hummingbird is one of the smallest Hummingbirds in the world. If it flies by you first think it is a bumblebee. It was rainy wheather, so unfortunately I didn't have much light to work with.

D300, Sigma170-500@460mm, 1/25, F9, tripod, cropped to vertical

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 31, 2010 at 4:52 PM

Very charming little bird, Ellen. I really like the colors, setting and pose here. I was going to say that the bird seems a little soft to me. However, the large version seems sharper. Might be compression effects in making the small version. The Hummingbird is pretty close to dead center in the frame. However, I really like how you have those green leaves in the composition. So, in the end: looks great as posted.

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

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on January 31, 2010 at 5:11 PM

Hi Ellen,
beatiful subject. Must have been a hard work capture this image at 1/25, even with tripod.
I like a lot the repeated pattern of leaves.
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on January 31, 2010 at 5:36 PM

The colours and the composition work really well Ellen.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 31, 2010 at 5:40 PM

I think the low light worked in your favor. Fine work with what you had. And it is a beautiful bird. Surprising you froze it as just 1/25. I agree with Steve that the leaves add a great deal to the shot, but wonder if you could crop part of the top without hurting the comp?

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 1, 2010 at 5:30 AM

Really like this Ellen - love the perch, gorget and background.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on February 1, 2010 at 1:10 PM

I like the comp, the use of space on top since the bird is looking up. The colors are very pleasing, and all in all a terrific image of such a small bird.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 1, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Wonderful colors and tones to this image. The background color really makes the hummer stand out. I first I thought the crop was to high on top but the more I looked at the more I liked it, the larger image was a pleasure to view, well done.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on February 1, 2010 at 11:46 PM

Really like the detail and the color on the birds breast. Nice soft light as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on February 2, 2010 at 1:15 AM

Superb composition. I love every single pixel of open space at the top. Awesome shot!

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments