Black-chinned Hummer

Gallery: AvianPosted July 22, 201184 views11 comments

This is a Black-chinned Hummingbird feeding at Utah Agave blossoms. Natural perch and light, not a set-up. I wish I got more of the iridescence, but at least I got a bit. The hummingbird is an interesting individual as it has some white flight feathers in both wings and tail--maybe due to a period of stress during its last molt?

I appreciate your critiques and comments. Please view the larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, tripod

f/7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320

Crop to 61% of original (10.9 of 18MP)

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 22, 2011 at 8:09 PM

Nice & sharp Brian. I see the subtle iridescence there in the LP, looks great.
Very pleasing overall.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 22, 2011 at 8:13 PM

Nice catch!
Good detail in the hummer head/body, (seen well in the large version) and nice position of the beak in the flower..
A touch of fill flash would have helped reduce the agave shadows, and a higher shutter speed would have frozen the wings (if that was your goal).
Still, a very pleasant image.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 22, 2011 at 8:59 PM

I am always amazed by the feet on these hummingbirds, and this shows them nicely. I have a terrible time getting the iridescence to show with this species as well.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 22, 2011 at 10:11 PM

The colors are beautiful Brian and the wing position of the hummingbird is great. Nice work.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 22, 2011 at 10:51 PM

Beautiful, Brian. You really nailed the hummer and I like the composition.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 23, 2011 at 5:46 AM

Why can't we get goodies like this ?

I keep saying- its not fair

My sparrows hover in front of peanuts but its not quite the same,

Wonderful shot.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 23, 2011 at 8:50 AM

The detail in the bird here is excellent despite the missing iridescence. I'm not so sure about the crop. I feel overwhelmed by the amount of blossoms visible here. Since the right most once are out of the DOF anyway, i'd try cropping away 1/8-1/4 of them.

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

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on July 23, 2011 at 5:51 PM

Wonderful detail in the bird's feathers Brian. The angle, though not often seen in hummer shots, gives a good view of those tiny feet.

Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 23, 2011 at 8:09 PM

Brian,

I've also had trouble getting as much iridescence on the Black-chinned as I would like. Love the pose, the details, sharpness and the view of those tiny feet. I like the natural feeling to the image and the lovely look at the eye. I might try removing a little of the OOF flowers on the right but comp is a personal thing. Thanks for including the larger version because it shows the detail very well in this little gem.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 24, 2011 at 7:33 AM

Like the natural feel of this Brian - well done

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 25, 2011 at 1:30 PM

Hummer images are a real challenge even when they are not flying, they just do not sit still very long, so that makes this shot even better that you got one in flight. I like that most of the hummer is sharp with detail and the overall composition/color with the yellow blossoms and blue sky really adds to the image. Nice job in getting this difficult shot, way to go.

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