Photographing hummingbirds in a wild setting is more difficult than shooting them on back yard flowers or at feeders but I find it far more rewarding.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning this female Broad-tailed Hummingbird was feeding on snowberry nectar in the Wasatch Mountains. It was a difficult setting to get sharp photos because the background was usually very close to the bird. The fact that she had her back to me much of the time increased my frustration.
But I got about a dozen photos I like and these are six of them.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Typical of hummingbirds she spent very little time at each tiny flower and her movements were quick and darting so tracking her was often close to impossible. But I got lucky in this first series of three shots because the flowers she moved between were only about an inch apart and she gave me a side view for the entire time (1.6 seconds).
I chose to post this shot with her wings up and…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
this one with her wings down.
At this point I realized that I was still shooting at f/7.1, a setting I’d used on a previous non-hummingbird, and I wanted more shutter speed so I changed my aperture to 5.6. In the split second it took to make the adjustment…
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
she had moved to another area of the snowberry bush where I had a cleaner background.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
When she pulled her bill out of the flower she’dĀ been feeding on she…
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
moved almost straight up to the flowers above her where I had a completely clean background which is somewhat unusual when photographing hummers in the wild.
I thought this shot was interesting because of her asymmetrical wing positions. As evidenced by the previous photos the wings of hummers in flight are usually in symmetrical positions.
When this shot was taken she must have been making an in-flight course adjustment.
Ron
These are beautiful! I especially like the last one! I often find myself shooting an unexpected subject with the settings I had used previously. I’m glad you noticed and changed the F stop it really made a difference!
Sorry I’m late, but these shots are fantastic! First impression was WOW! What a beautiful shot.
Love the shots. Especially the first one. You could frame that one.
Who knows, I just might, Jean.
Seeing those wings like that is always a treat. If only our eyes could see as your camera does. Makes me wonder how the Hummer sees its wings in flight: a blur or like your photos show.
My guess is that hummers see them as a blur like we do, Lyle. But it’s only a guess.
Yet ANOTHER delightful series. Thank you (and Ms Hummer) so very much.
And yes, the lack of symmetry in that final shot is intriguing.
That asymmetry stands out doesn’t it, EC.
What a fabulous series! I especially like the way she’s arching her neck to reach the flower in the first shot and her wing positions in the last shot. Thank you for such a beautiful interlude to my day.
Marty, I think that first shot is my favorite of the six.
A high five Ron š A great series of this beautiful bird that if you blink, itās goneāļø
Ha, sometimes I think they come and go twice in a blink, Diana!
Really enjoyed this series. We have feeders up so I like watching them through my kitchen window.
I watch them through my kitchen window too, Arwen. I just wish I had more of them.
Nice capture on your camera. Hummers are so sweet.
Thanks, Trudy.
These are gorgeous photos!
Thanks very much, April.
I truly appreciate that you choose the more difficult settings. Heck, there’s a 30-70 chance that even I could get a snapshot at a feeder for pity’s sake! š
And oh what a beautiful little jewel! Again, thank you for my morning beauty! It’s SO necessary these days.
Thanks, Laura. I don’t necessarily choose them because they’re more difficult I just prefer them because they’re natural and it’s nature photography that I love.
I loved to see the hummingbird in the wild—no clunky, mechanical-looking
feeder, feathers and foliage are in beautiful harmony, and such sweet,
subtle colors ! Worth it to ME that you go out and do all that seeking and
skilled capture– thanks !
I’m glad you see it the way I do, Kris. The only time I photograph birds at my feeders is for practice or when I’m testing my gear.
It is great to see such clear details. The guide books never do it this well and it is difficult to see with the naked eye. They are such amazing little creatures. Thanks.
Thanks for noticing the detail, Betty. That detail is why I was willing to splurge on a high quality lens.
Simply beautiful! Nothing beats a hummer in the wild! I really like the next to last photo…looks like drops of nectar on her beak…good to the last drop! Thanks for sharing these.
Thanks, Kathy. I thought it was probably pollen on her bill.
Beautiful! š Their speed and precision is amazing to watch tho not always captured just “looking” rather than frozen in time……… Even caught some nectar on her beak….. Clutter or not the hummer stands out… š
Thank you, Judy.
I’m curious – did you have much crop damage from your recent hail?
Doesn’t appear to be down by the house – stems I’ve looked at didn’t take a hit – few leaves did. Didn’t lay anything but a patch of goat grass down. WHEW!
Sounds like you dodged the bullet. Good.
Yes – long time to harvest yet…. I’m sure some folks in Southern Alberta and Calgary weren’t so lucky evening before last……. š
Ron, Thanks for another great series!
You’re very welcome, Cindy.
Remarkable photography. Her wings beat approximately 52 times per second and yet at your shutter speeds it appears that she has stopped in mid air to pose for you. And that last photo with the clear background is really a good one.
Thanks, Everett. I wish I’d thought to increase my SS earlier than I did.
These are beautiful, Ron, and I agree that the asymmetry in the last shot is especially interesting. The different angles at which she feeds on the nectar is interesting, too. Thanks as always!
I’m glad you like them, Cathy. Thank you.