From the boring to the sublime in less than a heartbeat.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago in the Wasatch Mountains this male Broad-tailed Hummingbird wasn’t particularly close and he stubbornly refused to give me much when it comes to interesting poses while he was perched. He was also partially side-lit which didn’t help.
It was almost like he was deliberately trying to frustrate me with unflattering poses and turning his head to put poor light on his face. Only this shot held much interest for me because I caught his gorget almost fully lit up and a catch light in his eye at the same time, which for me at least doesn’t happen very often.
But he atoned for his stubbornness when he took off.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
On one of the two times he launched from this dead serviceberry twig his head went down, his tail went up, he flared his tail and turned his head just enough to his left to put light on his face and in his eye. It’s a hummingbird takeoff posture I’ve only captured one other time and that was early last month when it happened with another male Broad-tailed Hummingbird within about 100′ of where I photographed this one.
Who knows, maybe they’re the same bird and he has a habit of taking off like this. If so, I’m grateful.
Ron
Note: If you’re wondering why he appears to have a bicolored or mottled bill, it’s because the right side of his bill was smeared with pollen.
Great launch shots Ron.
I was surprised to see the 1/4000 shutter didn’t “stop” the wings fully. Is that unusual? Half that seems to do it on our Rufus hummers, most of the time, not all.
Jim, I wondered if anyone would mention that. Good for you for bringing it up. I’m pretty sure the softness of the wings was related to depth of field rather than shutter speed.
Wow and wow. And if there were three photos without a doubt I would have added a third wow.
Made me smile, EC. Thanks.
Ron,
I just love the Hummers! Beautiful. I have to get to the mountains to find some of these beauties. I have to admit that the first photo has a little “in-your-face” character to it.
Stephen
Thanks, Stephen. I’m seeing fewer hummers in the mountains than in past years but there are a few.
Broadtailed Hummingbirds always seem to be giving stink-eye. 😉 These are both fabulous shots. That gorgeous gorget all lit up and the freaky take-off pose — what a delight!
Glad you like them, Marty. I wouldn’t argue with you about the stink-eye.
Sublime, beautiful word for a beautiful photo and subject.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
Excellent capture, Ron! 🙂 Beautiful colors and all!
Thanks, Judy.
Wow– “launch” is the right word ! I heard the theme from “Ride of the Valkyries” in my head the moment shot #2 came up on the screen…….
Kris, after your comment I had to listen to it again because it’s been so long since I heard it I couldn’t really remember it. Now I see what you mean.
Outstanding take-off photo Ron. Don’t think it could be better than this one.
And the first photo is not too shabby either.
Thank you, Everett.
That is a great shot! Cannot recall ever having seen this kind of hummingbird pose before. Another “Oh wow” moment on FP this morning.
In that first one this fella looks a bit annoyed. 😉
Michael, maybe he WAS annoyed with me. While he was perched I was probably scowling at him.