Spider Web Hummer

Gallery: AvianPosted June 2, 2011154 views15 comments

F/6.3, 1/40th, ISO 640, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x around 7:00am before sun-up. Black-chinned male. About 70% FF.

Some interesting info below:

Hummingbirds use spider web as a main ingredient in their nests. It's strands of spider web that hold the nest together and to the branch upon which it is built. Hummers also love to rob insects from spider webs. Insects are an important source of protein for hummers, and they'll get them anyway they can.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 2, 2011 at 1:35 PM

Both elements together make a great story. Never knew that. Great color as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 2, 2011 at 1:36 PM

A nice image and good composition. Not easy to get the gorget looking just right on this species as you have done here.

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

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on June 2, 2011 at 1:39 PM

Excellent shot- Nice pose, great detail and fine composition- Also thanks for the interesting informations, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on June 2, 2011 at 1:59 PM

Very interesting information on hummingbirds, beautiful shot too.
Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on June 2, 2011 at 3:21 PM

Didn't kn ow that. I suppose the spider web acts like thread that's been glued.
Love the colors here, Howard, also the comp works well.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 2, 2011 at 5:38 PM

I too enjoy your composition and the nice color in the gorget Howard. The spider silk is great against that even background.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 2, 2011 at 7:26 PM

Nice, Howard. I like the pose and the bit of gorget flashing.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on June 2, 2011 at 8:43 PM

Nice image and info! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 2, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Lovely image-and before sun-up. Nice composition. Thanks for the information.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 3, 2011 at 12:02 AM

Interesting composition and information, and great that you were able to include some spider's web into the shot. The flash of purple on it's neck, or "gorget" (something else I've learned today!) really make the image "pop", thanks for sharing Howard :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 3, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Very nice. Love it that you included spiderwebs in your image. Really helps illustrate your info.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 3, 2011 at 6:10 PM

Good overall composition and I like the pose, background, head turn and seeing some gorget. I see the hummers around our place eating bugs also, nice information to go along, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 3, 2011 at 7:20 PM

Nice comp and the spider web adds a lot. Good work getting the gorget to show up so well.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 4, 2011 at 5:32 PM

Great comp and eye contact as well as the vivibility of the colors on the neck. I never knew that little fact so thank you

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on June 12, 2011 at 1:46 PM

Howard,
the bird stands out very well from the nice background and the eyes contact is great. The web completes the comp beautifully.
Excellent work and very interesting info.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments