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Preening Hummer
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Preening Hummer

by Scott Frye

Gallery: AvianPosted May 26, 201594 views13 comments

Anna's Hummingbird at Veterans Oasis Park -- CHandler, AZ

1/800 at f10 and ISO1600

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 500mm with 1.4 TC

Haven't seen very many hummingbirds preening -- maybe thats because that long beak makes it difficult.  It is a challenge for me to get a catch light on any preening bird as they close that nictating membrane to protect the eyes when preening - I like that I got  good look at this hummer's eye

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on May 26, 2015 at 8:30 AM

Very unique capture. Great background. I really like this.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Keith Bauer on May 26, 2015 at 8:32 AM

Very nice hummer image.  You captured the moment with a great background and nice light on the bird and background.devil

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 26, 2015 at 9:35 AM

Can only echo what Keith has already noted and on top that write that I have never seen a HB like this, very nice work ! devil, cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM

Sweet, Scott.  I see them preening often enough, but it certainly is difficult to get that nice pose with the eye unobscured and a very cool perch to boot.  Excellent image.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on May 26, 2015 at 10:51 AM

Scott,

Wonderful behavioural catch.  As an avid Hummer devotee, the challenges photographing them are legion when we consider their quick movements, color changes with the angle and simply being prepared for them.  devil

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments
Comment posted by Todd Bauer on May 26, 2015 at 11:26 AM

Subtly stunning.

Registered on May 28, 2014, 50 Posts, 176 Comments
Comment posted by Allen Brooks on May 26, 2015 at 12:15 PM

Unique pose and beautiful detail. Nice clean background. I noted the high ISO and wonder if you had to do much noise reduction.  I'm asking because my new Mark II seems to have as much noise as the original 7D: i.e. a lot of noise at ISO 400.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 26, 2015 at 1:18 PM

Sweet light and a good pose of this pretty lady, Scott. Really nice color palette. Well done.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 26, 2015 at 6:49 PM

Very nice preening pose, sweet light and a nice comp here Scott devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 27, 2015 at 3:51 AM

Scott,

A "killer" pose, plus great backgrounddevil

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 27, 2015 at 3:18 PM

The light in this image is delightful, and to have such a co-operative subject to model for you in it is awesome. Love the the preening pose and the texture in her plumage you captured here,

Simply A Beauty devil

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 27, 2015 at 8:49 PM

Nice image Scott. I am a fan of preening shots to begin with and especially when it's a hummer. BG color is very complimentary. Nice work

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 28, 2015 at 9:54 AM

One of the best preening hummer closeups I've seen Scott.

Especially nice light, sharp detailsdevildevil

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