The Hummingbird Thread / Hummingbird Film

[Tindomul]

OMG, gorgeous! How did you get those photos? I once tired to take photos of the Ruby-throated, but they always came out blurry, even with a Nikon d60.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Triffid

I Can view the 9min Promo.
But the full one is restricted by region and rights... so I can not see the full one either.

Shame

Oh well, I'll just have to wait for old D.A. and the BBC to do their own version in the future

same for me...

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

OMG, gorgeous! How did you get those photos? I once tired to take photos of the Ruby-throated, but they always came out blurry, even with a Nikon d60.

I tried many times with no success until I switched from manual setting ( I'm a dreamer ) to the sports setting. It's sorta like cheating but they are so fast that it was the only way, plus it was in a park so they were feeding on wild flowers. It's on my flickr page I'll try to load one up here.
Also I would love to see the whole show, I have seen that preview tease before. Quite awesome!!

Here is one pic. http://www.flickr.com/photos/joemarquez/4165809137/

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

OMG, gorgeous! How did you get those photos? I once tired to take photos of the Ruby-throated, but they always came out blurry, even with a Nikon d60.

I've used a few different cameras and lenses. I think the most important is to find a place where there are a lot of them. These were all taken in Costa Rica, and almost all of them were taken at a place in Monteverde where they feed them, and attract some unusual species. Then you have to shoot, shoot shoot, then delete, delete, save, delete. I have a Canon EOS xti, and usually use a 75-300mm zoom; I got the image stabilized version last year. One tip- it doesn't work to use a flash; they have to be sunlit. The color is "structural" not pigment based. If you use a flash, you get a weird yellow-green color that is like the reflection of the retina known as "pink eye". Autofocus doesn't usually work fast enough so I focus where I hope the bird will be. They have this nice habit of returning to the same branch, more or less, after feeding which is convenient. I have shot thousands of pictures of hummers over the years, and these are among the best.

[Tindomul]

Thanks all, those are great tips. You know I didn't realize about the iridescence on the feathers. Most birds don't have pigment, they have iridescence. Thanks for that tip too.

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by Swamper

I tried many times with no success until I switched from manual setting ( I'm a dreamer ) to the sports setting. It's sorta like cheating but they are so fast that it was the only way, plus it was in a park so they were feeding on wild flowers. It's on my flickr page I'll try to load one up here.
Also I would love to see the whole show, I have seen that preview tease before. Quite awesome!!

Here is one pic. hummer@CostelloPark on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Hi Swamper/Joe,
What type of hummer is that, and where did you see it?

[nenella]

Great Photos Connnie!
& That is definitely a documentary I would love to see!
Thanks for the link Tindo

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Hi Swamper/Joe,
What type of hummer is that, and where did you see it?

Hi Connie
That is a ruby throated. Like I said not a great picture but with a D-60 and standard lens, I was very pleased. The park is an awesome place for plant lovers and birding, Castellow Hammocks Park in Miami Dade Co.

[susiep]

I love hummingbirds, too! I got a couple lucky shots of one in the Sonoran Desert at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. It was moving way to fast for my little camera, so I just had to guess where he was and shoot. Plus the sun was in my eyes! So I was happy I got one at all.

I bought a feeder this week and hope to attract them. However, I have never seen any around my area.

[Swamper]

Nice going Susan. I started like you and the hummer bug got me and now most of my plants in my yard are there to attract them. Careful, it could happen to you.