Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: MEGHAN on August 27, 2010, 01:46:41 PM

Title: Hummingbirds...the easy way
Post by: MEGHAN on August 27, 2010, 01:46:41 PM

So I am almost ready to throw in the towel on trying to photograph Hummingbirds on the fly.
As you can see from my first picture, I still don't have it nailed down yet.
So I figure I'd take the easy way out and take a few shots of the little beauties while they were perched. Much easier.
I haven't given up yet on an in-flight shot, but I'm pretty close.  :D
Thanks for looking
*lots of pics, sorry for so many*

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7241.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7351.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7325.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7367.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7302.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7297.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7254.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7188.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7126.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7118.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7117.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_7388.jpg)

Title:
Post by: Cody on August 27, 2010, 06:23:23 PM

Great #3, 6 & 12 shots!

Title:
Post by: MEGHAN on August 28, 2010, 07:12:58 AM

Thanks Cody, I appreciate it.
Meghan

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on August 28, 2010, 07:37:08 AM

you are really lucky.
i've only seen a hummingbird a few times (in whitby....otherwise, they are all over costa rica). even yesterday, i walked around the Brickworks hoping that last year's hummer was back (no luck).
the last shot is great.

to get spectacular hummer pictures, you have to jack up your shutter speed, hope for a well lit day and/or increase your ISO. depending on your camera, any increase in ISO will really make your pictures grainy.
and you need a superfast autofocus.
so its a lot of patience and luck.

Title:
Post by: Leslie on August 28, 2010, 11:55:37 AM

These are great.
(And I'm feeling sorry for myself 'cause I've got 2 fruit trees and  backyard full of jewelweed and I've not seen a hummer there yet.)

Title:
Post by: Moira on August 28, 2010, 03:37:31 PM

You've got a few nice shots there Meghan - don't be so hard on yourself.  I am no expert and was actually out this morning for my first try at them.  I have been advised that you need shutter speed of 1600-2000, ISO 400 (approximations for all you tekkies!) and that you should focus about 6-7" back from the feeder.  They typically go in to feed and then draw back and hover.  This is when we need to be ready!  Easy?  No, but I find if you concentrate on waiting for them to pull back, you have a better chance (and you don't get the feeder in the picture!)  Good luck!  Maybe we'll compare shots in a week or so :)

Title:
Post by: ravynne40 on August 29, 2010, 08:15:25 AM

Meghan! I love the flight shot!!!you are having much better luck then I am for sure!
gorgeous pics I love the one with the tongue sticking out too!
Beautiful series
speed up your shutter speed?

Irene

Title:
Post by: MEGHAN on August 29, 2010, 09:19:26 AM

Thanks Richard and Moira for the tips.
I try to avoid the "feeder shot" and like to see them more out in the "wild"
I really enjoyed watching them come in to perch.
They'd sit and primp and preen, and be in constant  surveillance mode the whole time. Waiting to get knocked off a perch by another territorial bird.
I just liked the variety of expressions as they went about their daily routine.
They were dogfighting all over the place. Groups of 5 or 6 at a time.
Thanks everyone.
Meghan

Title:
Post by: David Shilman on August 30, 2010, 04:16:50 PM

That first shot is great!

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Post by: JW Mills on August 30, 2010, 06:11:47 PM

Wonderful shots!

Title:
Post by: MEGHAN on August 31, 2010, 05:53:37 PM

Thank You David and John.
Much appreciated.
Meghan