Costa's Hummingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted November 28, 20038,332 views19 comments

What do you do when you're sitting at Thanksgiving dinner, happen to look out the front window, and see a bird you've been after for the longest time perched up in a perfect spot? Run outside and shoot of course!! As I told Rich Ditch in his recent post of this species, I have tons of shots of juveniles and females, but just hadn't been able to get the right situation to get a full adult male.

There's a few things about this I'd like better, the light was very low limiting my ability to stop down more, and I had to use a bit more flash than I'd like, but overall I'm just thrilled to get this.

10D, 500mm f4 IS, 1.4X TC II, ISO 400, f8, 1/160, 550EX w/BB (-1.3)

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Garth McElroy on November 28, 2003 at 10:55 AM

Looks great to me! I'd take this in a heart beat!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments

Comment posted by Jeroen Stel on November 28, 2003 at 11:02 AM

A great shot!, the purple on top of his head is just perfect!
Also BG colour and matching perch are nice.

greetings, Jeroen Stel

Registered on November 10, 2003, 366 Posts, 481 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Harrison on November 28, 2003 at 11:11 AM

Wow stunning colors in the bird. I would prefer a better bg but hey what can you do in a situation like this.
Well done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 28, 2003 at 11:38 AM

I'm glad you got a decent shot of a male at least. This looks pretty good to me. I love the perch, and the BG is fine. You're getting the same sort of gorget color I get, with most of it along the the edges and the center going mostly blackish. I'm still trying to get a shot off when the entire gorget lights up - it just about knots me off my feet when it does.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on November 28, 2003 at 11:51 AM

Rich D. said:

<i>You're getting the same sort of gorget color I get, with most of it along the the edges and the center going mostly blackish. I'm still trying to get a shot off when the entire gorget lights up - it just about knots me off my feet when it does.</i>

Rich, I got several shots with the whole gorget lit up like a Christmas tree ornament, but the problem with that is the bill is straight on to the camera. I'm certain the only way to get the head in profile like this, and the gorget completely lit up, is to use multiple flashes. It's not something I would normally do, but might be worth a try for an occasion like this. I agree with you, seeing this guy with the whole gorget lit is a sight to behold!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Heironymus on November 28, 2003 at 12:11 PM

Nice! Well done. I love the perch!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 36 Posts, 1110 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on November 28, 2003 at 1:19 PM

Bob,
What a great shot! I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Sherman on November 28, 2003 at 2:35 PM

Hi Bob,
I love it. You obviously did not eat as much as I did yesterday. There is no way I could have run outside during dinner.

The colors are fantastic, as is the perch. Do you like digital yet?

Registered on November 9, 2003, 165 Posts, 1116 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Davidson on November 28, 2003 at 2:43 PM

Holy

!
This is awesome Bob! Yes it could have been in perfect lighting and a little more DOF would have gone a long way but it may never have shown itself to you either! I'd absolutely love this, in fact I just love looking at your beautiful image! What a gorgeous bird, I'm so jealous it hurts!
Chris Davidson

Registered on November 1, 2003, 38 Posts, 815 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Barnes on November 28, 2003 at 3:03 PM

I'd be thrilled too! This is beautiful, especially considering the conditions.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 231 Posts, 1153 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Zawalski on November 28, 2003 at 5:59 PM

I'm thrilled just to able to view this image.. excellent on all counts!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 12 Posts, 52 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on November 28, 2003 at 7:43 PM

Great image, you can just imagine what the gorget would look like fully illuminated. Background is fine as the bird's head is centred on the green patch, popping off the background nicely. I'd say dof is pretty good too, stopping down won't get too much more in focus. I might have set the fill ratio a lit lower, just to make it a little less obvious a flash was used.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Alexander Couter on November 28, 2003 at 8:06 PM

Beautiful bird! And who cares what day it is. The Turkey wasn't going anywhere anyway right? Gorgeous colors Bob !

Registered on November 1, 2003, 48 Posts, 163 Comments

Comment posted by Dusty Veideman on November 28, 2003 at 10:36 PM

One can't hope for much betterr than this! Astounding!!!! You are one lucky (talented) guy.
Dusty V

Registered on November 1, 2003, 295 Posts, 547 Comments

Comment posted by Helge Sorensen on November 29, 2003 at 9:21 AM

Amazing - how is this even possible!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 186 Posts, 1526 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Richardson on November 29, 2003 at 5:43 PM

Hi Bob

One of my lasting memories of my California trip in 2001 was the number of hummers seen. Nearly all were females or young males though.

A lovely image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 304 Comments

Comment posted by Betty Frazier on November 29, 2003 at 7:19 PM

Absolutely gorgeous, everything about it. The colors, especially the purple, couldn't be set against a more complimentary BG.
Sure glad you didn't let Thankgiving dinner stand in the way of opportunity. This is more of a treat than pumpkin pie. So very nice, Bob.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 13 Posts, 86 Comments

Comment posted by Paula Graham on November 30, 2003 at 5:36 AM

Truly eyecatching shot. What colours and great exposure.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 902 Comments

Comment posted by Brian E. Small on November 30, 2003 at 1:30 PM

You know I have to hate you for this one!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 933 Comments