My First Hummingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted June 22, 2010186 views8 comments

I love to watch hummingbirds, they are so colourful and quick. This is my first ever image of one and of course its not very easy. I give all of you great credit toward your hummingbird images posted which have been my inspiration.
I think its amazing how large their eyes are for such a small bird. They are of course very aware of their surroundings and visually oriented.

This male rufous hummingbird was photographed in southern BC.

Thanks for viewing and any comments.

ISO 400 1/400, f/4 @200mm

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 22, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Congrats on getting your first hummer Darren! I like the wing blur and position of the wings in this shot. As posted it's quite centered so I would give it some more room on the right if you have it, this might help with sharpness too if this is cropped much.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on June 22, 2010 at 11:07 PM

Darren, these guys sure are hard to catch in flight. Like Nate, I like the wing position and blur. This seems quite noisy, is it a large crop? Wish there was more detail in the bird, but that will come with practice (and more SS?).

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

Comment posted by Stephen on June 22, 2010 at 11:12 PM

Just a bit soft, but I understand how difficult these hummingbirds can be. Congratulations on getting your first. Nate has a good comment about the crop and composition.

Registered on November 11, 2007, 42 Posts, 803 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 22, 2010 at 11:21 PM

Great job getting him this full in the frame, Darren. It's pretty soft as you're well aware, but when they hover you can usually get a good focus. I've found that if I just set up near where they're active they have a habit of backing away from a flower or feeder and hovering nicely for a few seconds. Three or four hundred frames later, and you have a really nice shot

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 22, 2010 at 11:40 PM

Congratulations Darren, you never forget your first..

I might back off slightly on the crop to help with the noise, assuming you cropped to some degree?

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 23, 2010 at 5:54 PM

Great first capture.

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

Comment posted by Lindy Martin on June 28, 2010 at 9:22 PM

Congratulations on your first hummer!! I have found that if you stand or sit there for long enough and fire off a zillion shots, you do get a good one! I usually shoot a little faster - minimum 1/640. Other comments have it covered! Keep up the good work.

Registered on March 10, 2009, 60 Posts, 169 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 30, 2010 at 9:53 PM

Beautifully colored hummer Darren, that eye is clear & sharp.
I've spend my share of time shooting these.
I recommend shooting with plenty of light, lighter backgrounds when possible, fill flash to help freeze the action, and faster shutter times/smaller apertures for the best results.
Well done, especially for your first

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments