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The Birds and the Bees
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The Birds and the Bees



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An Anna's Hummingbird is startled by a passing bee.

An Anna's Hummingbird is startled by a passing bee.
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cameraNIKON D800

settings Aperture f/8 ISO 1600 Shutter 1/1600 Focal Length 800/1 

upload_dateFeb, 2016

Views

3028

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Awards

People's Choice in Unexpected little beauty Photo Challenge
Winner in Hummingbirds Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Spring 2016 Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Johnsalterego ritacruz margaretgodfrey yaminirao melanielynnbutler dukester2016 Tudorof +50
Magnificent Capture
ClaritaBethCanlasMiller thierry Butler ernieinslo RickL ImagesByChrissie sdrake67 cheriejordan +26
Absolute Masterpiece
countryside ab_naturephotography cheyannefisch rekahalaszi Merleann mcampi S_Alexandra23 +23
Superb Composition
nathaliemedeiros KJPhoto2017 suzannebettencourtmclean CURUTCHET DWOZ BevK rockngal +15
Top Choice
chasitycampbell chocolatcoco SueColman CarolParcell gilbertatkin BeeMacDee gusgardner +11
Superior Skill
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Steve_Thomas loveMustangs Take2Foto DocTom Jennifergoode HeidiLebmeier tula_cat +1
Outstanding Creativity
DanielasPhotography JePePhoto annettejones_1862 PiuPiu Jocko_71 nikonphotomaker LucyCMorr +1
All Star
ivanfurman annetteflottwell b2bjacks matravers
Genius
LAGIORDANO
Virtuoso
thecatsmeow

Emotions

Impressed
ab_naturephotography ritacruz

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Categories

14 Comments |
bobdee
 
bobdee February 17, 2016
WOW!!!!
andrevondeling
 
andrevondeling April 10, 2016
what an amazing scenery to capture! Not only in species but also in the skill it took to make it and make it look good! Well done!
emacdonald
 
emacdonald May 16, 2016
beautiful
joycealicesmith
 
joycealicesmith May 16, 2016
Great capture! The birds thinking..."to eat, or not to eat"....Congratulations on winning People's Choice!
edandaniphone PRO+
 
edandaniphone July 24, 2016
Wonderful.
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots July 24, 2016
Great "two for one" capture. Congrats.
ziggyzoo52
 
ziggyzoo52 February 16, 2017
Such a brilliant beautiful photo . Voted for it in celebrating nature
CatWezel66
 
CatWezel66 December 08, 2017
Beautiful ????
thatunicorngal PRO
 
thatunicorngal January 22, 2018
Wonderful capture!
jamiesarkett
 
jamiesarkett January 22, 2018
awesome - congrats !!!
gbernhard
 
gbernhard April 05, 2018
Amazing creatures!
melanielynnbutler
 
melanielynnbutler February 20, 2019
Amazing capture!
cheyannefisch PRO
 
cheyannefisch February 20, 2019
Once in a life time capture! Amazing!
RickL PRO+
 
RickL January 05, 2020
Beautiful photography,good timing

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

Anna's Hummingbird #hummingbird #birds #animal #wildlife #nature #humboldt
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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo right in front of my apartment. I was on my way out to go photograph wildlife around Humboldt Bay, and one of the neighborhood Hummingbirds perched right in front of me while I was walking to my car. I stopped to take a few photos, and a bee happened to fly through the frame during one of them.

Time

I was headed out to visit the wetlands during the evening light, and I ran into the hummingbird just before 4pm.

Lighting

This shot was taken in natural light on a partially cloudy day.

Equipment

I used a Nikon D800 with a Sigma 300-800mm zoom lens, handheld.

Inspiration

The hummingbirds that visit my apartment complex don't usually perch at eye level, but the blossoms on the plum tree lured this one in for a great photo opportunity.

Editing

I made basic color balance and contrast curve adjustments to the image and cropped it for composition.

In my camera bag

For photographing birds, I usually carry a Nikon D800 and a Sigma 300-800mm zoom lens on a shoulder strap.

Feedback

During breeding season, male hummingbirds like to return to the same perches regularly. I got lucky with this shot and had the bird land right in front of me, but several of my hummingbird closeups have been taken after observing perching and feeding patterns, then waiting nearby commonly visited spots.

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