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Scratching the Itch
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Scratching the Itch

by Jim Zablotny

Gallery: AvianPosted August 22, 2015133 views5 comments

Juvenile hummingbirds have invaded the feeders on our deck and they are getting in quite a few scraps. This first year male was caught scratching an itch while perched near the feeders.  My wife complains about the series of tiny sticks duck-taped to the deck that serve as hummingbird guard posts, but the birds have discovered them to be of use.  I liked the pose and the eye has a lot of character so I decided to post this one.  K5 IIs 600mm f5.6, fill flash -3ev (1/320sec at f13, ISO 800) Dfine2, Topaz Detail, Shadows & Highlights, Exposure +1, crop for composition...............................................Jim

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Elizabeth Holbrook on August 22, 2015 at 1:48 PM

Great capture.  I recently read an article about hummingbirds and learned that because their feet are so tiny, they do not walk or hop.  They can creep on small branches and, as you so well demonstrated, scratch their head.  The BG really brings out the iridescent green on his back.

Registered on May 6, 2015, 43 Posts, 221 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 22, 2015 at 2:35 PM

Nice one, Jim.  It's always fun when they start scratching.  The head seems just a bit soft in the larger version-maybe a bit more sharpening there?

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hansen on August 22, 2015 at 5:11 PM

Very well done Jim.  Would have been nice if more of its right leg and foot were visible to better depict the activity, but very fine as is.  Great idea duct taping the sticks to the deck.  I might try that.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 22, 2015 at 8:43 PM

I like this head nod to the side as the bird scratches, and the single toe visible there in the LP.

Great BG and details.. great idea.. And it's why duck tape's such a big sellersad

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by David Bogener on August 23, 2015 at 1:52 PM

Tack sharp with an interesting pose.  I like the background.  Consider a more colorful and interesting perch placed in a manner that allows the entire perch to remain in focus?

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments