Rufous Hummingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted July 7, 2017255 views9 comments

I'm not sure if this one is more about the hummingbird or about the flower, but we don't have a gallery that encompasses both, so here it lies. The flower is a Monarda. While I admire the skill involved in multiflash hummingbird images, my personal preference is for natural light and blurred wings, so that's how I photograph them.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 421 mm, tripod with ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick, f/11, 1/500, iso 640, aperture priority, pattern metering, -2/3 EV. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 14.1 MP before resizing. Taken July 4th at 8:49 am.

Your comments and critiques are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on July 7, 2017 at 9:02 PM

Hey Dennis,
Great composition that fits your personal preference in capturing Hummers perfectly. I really like all the colorful aspects of this image.
Well done . . . laugh

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 7, 2017 at 9:54 PM

Well done. This looks like a 4th of July picture! cool

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 8, 2017 at 9:22 AM

yes-plant and bird both good and a great background.
Admire your methods too.
John
Just thought- Its strange that we have the same plants over here but no hummers
!!

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on July 8, 2017 at 10:49 AM

Super image with such lovely colors!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on July 8, 2017 at 3:14 PM

Hello, Dennis. Lovely and natural shot. I am always in awe with all the techs involved in some of the Hummingbird images I have seen, but having a totally natural setting is as good ! Nice composition ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 9, 2017 at 11:04 AM

In my book this is a real winner. The excellent detail in the head/eye with the blurred wings works well and seems natural. The colors in the bird and flower are nice and the background colors help make this a fine photo. Well done.

On a different subject, what do you see as the advantages/disadvantages of the sidekick over a straight Gimbal head?

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on July 9, 2017 at 6:19 PM

I remember from last year that you had the Monarda in your garden and I was really impressed with its ability to attract hummingbirds. You and your wife have done an exceptional job in your garden with a variety of colorful plants that makes the backgrounds in these images quite painterly. It's amazing that even at 1/500 of a second, one is able to stop enough motion to get a good Hummingbird image. Nicely done Dennis.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 10, 2017 at 1:58 AM

I think this would be a sweet photograph even without the hummingbird, I really like the supporting colors of the background. The addition of this beautiful little gal puts this one over the top for me.

A Beauty Dennis!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 10, 2017 at 10:08 AM

Great palette! When I see a hummer, it is with blurred wings. This looks right to me. Excellent capture, suitable to hang on the wall.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments