Ruby-throated Hummer

Gallery: AvianPosted May 24, 2010149 views9 comments

As of last week we have several of these feisty little guys hanging around. The weather hasn't been particularly helpful but I managed this in overcast conditions that still allowed a flash of iridescence with the exact right head turn. I generally prefer a smaller perch for a smaller bird but he liked this one. Too bad I didnt' have more light, I'd have liked to bring his bill and tail fully into focus. Full frame with a bit of canvas added to the right for composition.

1D4, 500 f4 + 2.0x, iso 800, 1/125, f8, 580 EX with Better Beamer at - 1.67

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 24, 2010 at 6:40 PM

A beauty Keith. Extra nice detail and sharpness on the most important parts of the bird and you did a great job getting the iridescence in that light. Nice clean background. As you said, more DOF would have been a bonus but this is very good as is.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on May 24, 2010 at 7:14 PM

How nice to get this beauty perched. very nice

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on May 24, 2010 at 7:57 PM

Terrific Keith! Great background, and I rather like the thick perch. Unusual for them. Terrific detail on the gorget.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 24, 2010 at 8:06 PM

Wow! What a great job of capturing the magnificent plumage.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Dusty Veideman on May 24, 2010 at 10:10 PM

The large perch certainly makes the bird look small but a real nice shot anyway. Love the colours!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 295 Posts, 547 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 25, 2010 at 12:31 AM

Beautiful capture Keith. Love the background and the eye and feet of the hummer are nice and sharp considering you had 2x converter. Love the comp on this. Large perch doesn't bother me at all nor does the oof tail. Very difficult to get the tip of the beak and the tail in sharp focus unless you stop way, way down and even then I'm not sure at this angle it would be possible. Very little noise for ISO 800. Really nice Keith!! Love it as is.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 25, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Nice detail where it counts and good job for the lighting conditions. Hummers are just fascinating birds, well done.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on May 26, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Oh wow. I think the overcast light actually enhances the way the irridescence stands out here. Very sharp where it counts. I think the perch works fine to help emphasize the small size of the bird.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on December 4, 2010 at 6:59 AM

Beautiful image. Great pose and detail. The strong green background is perfect with the colours of the bird- great job, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments