A Long Reach

Gallery: AvianPosted May 6, 2014131 views9 comments

Hummer from this morning. If you look closely, the birds tongue can be seen extending past the Red Hesperaloe bloom's base..
F/8, 1/3200th, ISO 800, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x with fill @ 9:43am & clear. Captured in a vertical orientation.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on May 6, 2014 at 5:10 PM

Excellent stop action shot, Howard. These guys are so energetic it's a real prize to capture one like this in a natural setting and not at a feeder. I would have missed the extended tongue if you'd not mentioned it. Although I've seen video with the swirling / tilted wing action, but this is my first recall of seeing that in a still shot like this. The light could not be better and the detail is excellent in the larger version too.
They're truly amazing little guys.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 6, 2014 at 6:32 PM

Here's another shot of the bloom/bird from further back. Also, I have complete DOF at the bird in this one.

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

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on May 6, 2014 at 11:30 PM

Super shot Howard. Excellent detail and techs. I can't recall seeing a shot with the tongue showing in this manner before.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 7, 2014 at 12:09 AM

Beautiful, simple and nice composition. I like the colors too

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on May 7, 2014 at 1:22 AM

Beautiful, Howard, although I prefer the second image.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on May 7, 2014 at 3:07 AM

Howard, I'll have to go with saying I like both for different, but also, similar reasons between them. If that makes any sense. Excellent work on both.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on May 7, 2014 at 3:28 AM

Both shots are spectacular. My favorite is the second..The detail and BG are just great. Very very nice.

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 7, 2014 at 5:31 AM

Wow! I didn't realise that it was the tongue that extended way beyond the flower, until I read your comment. I like the second photo, probably because it doesn't have the thick black border of the first. I think the border distracts from the beautiful frozen action shot.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 7, 2014 at 11:27 AM

Wonderful moment captured Howard, and I particularly like the fact that you show quite some of the stem as well. Excellent job ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments