Colorado Broadtail hummingbird!
Friendly and tame hummers!
Friendly and tame hummers!
Read less
Read less
Dec, 2017Views
421
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Bird in Hand Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
Emotions
Happy
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 20 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This little hummer might have slammed into our scenic bay window off our deck in the Colorado mountains at 8,500 ft. because when I stepped out on the deck with my camera to take photos of the scenery I saw he/she was temporarily stunned lying on the deck floor and was coming to. Then this little guy climbed into my palm as I knelt down and then my finger (I have shots of both) and after 3-4 minutes probably became fully alert, then flew away!Time
I often shoot pictures off one of our decks at altitude in the Colorado mountains where we lived to capture the abundant wildlife and changing seasonal scenery. This was late afternoon around 4:30 at the end of a glorious June day! We have a red hummingbird feeder which attracts tons of these cute critters and I’ve patiently learned to place my finger next to the feeder where these hummers have come to trust me and will alight at will! Fun!Lighting
Nothing particularly noteworthy about the lighting for this capture as it was one of those instances where you recognize a fleeting opportunity to capture a moment quickly or miss it altogether!Equipment
Taken with a Nikon D200 with a Nikon 18-200mm zoom f3.5-4.6 lens. No other equipment.Inspiration
I was about to step out on my deck with my camera when I heard o “thump” on our glass window and thought it might have been a bird as this was not an uncommon occurrence because of the sun glint in late afternoon off the window. When I saw this little “hummer” was OK and gradually coming to and was amenable to getting on my hand I slowly handed the camera to my wife who had just emerged from inside and asked her to quickly get several shots before the bird flew away!Editing
Other than some minor cropping for compositional purposes no editing was needed as the late afternoon summer lighting was ideal.In my camera bag
I now use a Canon EOS 5D Mark III D5 Mark III with a versatile 24-105mm zoom for everyday and all around purposes. I have a travel monopod for hiking and travel purposes as I do a lot of world traveling. I suppose you could say I’m a minimalist photographer as I can get about all of my shots without heavy tripods and lighting attachments.Feedback
To the age old question, “what is the best camera to have?”, I always say….the one on you! Moral of the story…always have one on you be it a Brownie, an iPhone camera or a fancy DSLR. “Seize the moment!”
