My wife Patty and I just returned from visiting good friends in Fulsom CA. It was in their backyard that I spent hours photographing and observing this Annas Hummingbird nest. It was easily my best opportunity to watch this species raise young. Incredible!
The main purpose of our trip wasn't this nest, but our nest. We were there to pick up a crib, changing table, stroller, baby clothes, etc. Patty is 7 months pregnant with our first child and I'm learning about "nesting" in the human race. Let's just say that she has big plans for the house, the baby's room and me in the next couple of months.
...Probably not much time for NPN....or anything else for a while..
Just a fantastic shot. Great composition, great exposure, and tack sharp.
My son is on his way to collage and my daughter is not far behind. Enjoy the nesting and these early years, it goes by way to fast.
Posted by Larry Gloth on March 18, 2008 at 1:03 AM
Awesome shot. Amazing detail. Beautifully captured. Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your first. Enjoy every moment and document what you can.
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on March 18, 2008 at 1:16 AM
Wonderful capture, Dan! I am hoping to get the same in my backyard this spring as I have a resident Anna's on my property. I sure hope I can find the nest!
I have a hummingbird feeder that is regularly visited and then they go out of the yard, but I've never come across a nest yet. Any tips to finding the nest? Or did you just happen to find it?
Good luck on your own nesting. We finished our nesting about this time last year.
Kevin
Posted by Adrian Klein on March 18, 2008 at 10:59 AM
It's all already been said... amazing moment to witness and capture I am sure!
Posted by Paul DeCesare on March 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I don't know what's more amazing: the shot in action, the sharpness of this image, nailing the DOF with that creamy BG, or the wonderfully smooth lighting. Tremendous work! How did you get that softbox lighting, just decent overcast?
Posted by Curtis Knight on March 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Holy cow! all I can say to this is congrats! I could probably nit pick something, but there's nothing that detracts from the moment captured. Nice going Dan!
Posted by Curtis Knight on March 18, 2008 at 12:38 PM
OK, sorry, I can't keep my mouth shut. This is such a great shot I really didn't want to nit pick, so instead I'll make a suggestion
If you crop this to roughly a 4x6 format, I believe it makes the image even stronger... if that's possible
Our friends were already aware of the nest and were really excited for me to come and get some images. So the hardest part of all of this wasn't finding it, but getting close without disturbing the mother(it took 1/2 a day). At one point I was ready to give up - a subjects welfare trumps my photography every time.
As far as tips on finding these nests, I did learn a lot in a couple of days. This nest was about 4' off the ground, more exposed than I thought it would be. It was probably only about three inches in diameter. Another thing I learned over the course of the weekend is how a very specific pattern developed on where the mother would go in betweeen feedings. Kevin, that would be something to look for, specific patterns emerging w/ females.
Paul, you guessed it, it was a nice bright overcast. The creamy smooth backround is an unfinished wooden fence. At first I was bummed about the backround but then decided to work with it.
Curtis, do you mean going to a horizontal 4x6 or just cropping in tighter?
In short, I felt privledged to observe and photograph this and hope to do it more often. More importantly, I feel good about the way I did it. Nest photography is a delicate thing.
Thanks again!
Posted by Curtis Knight on March 18, 2008 at 3:57 PM
I'm saying keep it vertical, and just crop it tighter. My browser crop just happened to work out to approximately that aspect ratio...
Posted by Cliff Dodge on March 18, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Just a great shot Dan. And congratulations on the one on the way. Cliff
What a wonderful shot! I agree with the crop suggestion - no need for the extra leaves and twigs with such a powerful image.
Have fun with your own 'nesting' - every day will be a joy..
Sandy R
Posted by Hans Sager on March 19, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Congratulations Dan! This is perhaps one of the best hummer shots I've seen. I agree with all the positive comments, but disagree about the crop. One of the strengths of this photo is that it shows habitat. Cutting out some of the twigs and leaves ruins that element IMO.
Wow, sooooo beautiful, for me, I love it just as it is. Shows more habitat, and she has more room to feed her young, hum not closed in. But of course this is just my preference. I sure wish it was my photograph. Maybe a tad from the top tho after a second look.
Discussion
16 repliesThe main purpose of our trip wasn't this nest, but our nest. We were there to pick up a crib, changing table, stroller, baby clothes, etc. Patty is 7 months pregnant with our first child and I'm learning about "nesting" in the human race. Let's just say that she has big plans for the house, the baby's room and me in the next couple of months.
...Probably not much time for NPN....or anything else for a while..
Just kidding Honey! You're the best.
My son is on his way to collage and my daughter is not far behind. Enjoy the nesting and these early years, it goes by way to fast.
I have a hummingbird feeder that is regularly visited and then they go out of the yard, but I've never come across a nest yet. Any tips to finding the nest? Or did you just happen to find it?
Good luck on your own nesting. We finished our nesting about this time last year.
Kevin
If you crop this to roughly a 4x6 format, I believe it makes the image even stronger... if that's possible
Our friends were already aware of the nest and were really excited for me to come and get some images. So the hardest part of all of this wasn't finding it, but getting close without disturbing the mother(it took 1/2 a day). At one point I was ready to give up - a subjects welfare trumps my photography every time.
As far as tips on finding these nests, I did learn a lot in a couple of days. This nest was about 4' off the ground, more exposed than I thought it would be. It was probably only about three inches in diameter. Another thing I learned over the course of the weekend is how a very specific pattern developed on where the mother would go in betweeen feedings. Kevin, that would be something to look for, specific patterns emerging w/ females.
Paul, you guessed it, it was a nice bright overcast. The creamy smooth backround is an unfinished wooden fence. At first I was bummed about the backround but then decided to work with it.
Curtis, do you mean going to a horizontal 4x6 or just cropping in tighter?
In short, I felt privledged to observe and photograph this and hope to do it more often. More importantly, I feel good about the way I did it. Nest photography is a delicate thing.
Thanks again!
Have fun with your own 'nesting' - every day will be a joy..
Sandy R