Allen's Hummingbird?

Gallery: AvianPosted April 3, 2012174 views11 comments

I was in my back yard in the morning filling our Hummer feeders when I was to Hawks circling towards our yard. I ran in put in a card, formatted it and hurried back out and no Hawks. I just stood there with my camera in my hands feeling disappointed. I looked around and saw the hummers feeding and noticed what I think is an Allen's doing that dive routine with a chirp at the bottom. He seemed to return to the same area on one or our bushes so I tried to get a few shots in.

I think this came out pretty well.

7D with 500mm handheld
1/1000 at f / 5.6
ISO 250
EV + 1/3
AV

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 3, 2012 at 12:30 AM

This is a beautiful little Rufous or Allen's hummer - Sibley's says they are identical so let's see what the experts here think.
Excellent image!
Tack-sharp, great pose, and the berries and BG are perfect.
Not the tiniest nit from me - truly an exceptional image.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 3, 2012 at 12:36 AM

Beautiful, Skip. Very well done indeed. Excellent detail and light.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 3, 2012 at 7:35 AM

Well done Harry, This is a very good hummingbird image IMHO. You have great color, pose and BG. Thanks for sharing. I would go with Rufus, but thats just me.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 3, 2012 at 10:03 AM

nice shot, Skip. I like the perch and great details. I think that this could go a little brighter.

Rufous and Allen's are a very tough distinction since Rufous can show a green back. The breeding display is a good clue though, only Allen's breed in So Cal. The breeding displays for the two species are different--see Sibley, Rufous does a series of J-shaped dives, which end at the same point but begin at different places, while Allen's does a J-shaped dive with a series of little back-and-forths at the bottom.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 3, 2012 at 10:09 AM

Harry, this is gorgeous! Amazing colors, beautiful perch, beautiful sharpness and detail. Just beautiful.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on April 3, 2012 at 12:19 PM

Dynamic color. Came out very well.....

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 3, 2012 at 4:23 PM

A Beauty Harry

Excellent detail and composition.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 3, 2012 at 5:03 PM

A classic composition with excellent detail. I'd go slightly brighter as Brian suggests. Allen's is more likely there but it is a difficult ID.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 3, 2012 at 5:16 PM

Wonderful hummer shot. I like the composition, perch and detail in the larger image. Nice job in reacting to this photo opportunity, well seen and well done. The larger image was a pleasure to view.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on April 4, 2012 at 12:41 PM

Wonderful shot. Tack sharp and the colors are soft and beautiful. Hand held? WOW!!!!

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 5, 2012 at 1:02 PM

Very nice look at this Hummer, Harry. Good detail in the bird, nice perch and background. Well done.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments