Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Hummingbirds open our eyes to the wonder of the world and inspire us to open our hearts to loved ones and friends. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and to savor each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of everyday. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.”
Papyrus
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This is the first chance that I’ve been able to capture hummingbirds in action. Hearing of their residence at Patuxent Research Center – North Tract yesterday, of course I had to go to stalk some hummers.
When I woke up this morning, it was dark and dreary. Wishing I had a sunny morning to capture these lovelies, I decided to go and see how the Canon Mark III would perform in the lower light conditions.
The settings chosen were: Aperture Priority, f/6.3, ISO ** get this ** 3200. Giving me shutter speeds of 1/4000 and 1/5000 of a second.
I was able to get quite close to the birds, but still had to keep a distance as the Canon 500mm needed about 10 feet in order to focus. There were at least four Ruby Throated Hummingbirds flitting in and out to dine on the feeders. Giving me ample opportunity to capture them. I spent about a half an hour and blew through 250 shots like nothing. I can see myself spending all day and capturing thousands of images.
Editing these in Lightroom 5, the first action was to crop the images, then noise reduction. Some Autotone, some not. One with the new radial filter. I think these came out pretty good for a first time out shooting hummers.
Next time I’ll make sure I have better lighting, or at least use some positive exposure compensation to brighten up their dark faces.
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Birds, Nature
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Now you have made me and my Hummingbird tattoo want a newer computer and LIGHTROOM oh and a HUGE CAMERA 🙂
LOL ! Indeed, what a difference right? I’m in camera heaven. Thanks to my sweet hubby. 🙂
Nice for sure what kind did you settle on 🙂 I now have a Olympus point and shoot as it has 16 MP so I could sell larger shots 🙂 Want a BIG ONE though with a lens the size of a Submarine 🙂
Yep..that’s pretty much what I have now..a big white submarine with camoflauge on it.
🙂 what brand Nikon?
Canon and I love it!
I have been holding off I did not want to go with Nikon never used a cannon I will have to try one out I miss my film cameras 🙂 well till I hit the DELETE button 🙂
Pretty darn good for the first time you’ve shot hummers! I’ve only shot “wild” ones, and the photos are not very good.
Well, these are wild too, just smart and found the goodies. Thanks Jerry!
These are some pretty spectacular shots. I’m not very tech savvy with camera logistics, is the noise reduction taking out the background so you can just see humming bird? The close-ups allowing for feather definition is awesome – wow. Were you excited when you started to see what you were able to produce?
Think of teeny tiny little dots that are called a pixel. These dots create the image. Sometimes when there isn’t enough light, the dots have to be bigger. So big fuzzy dots create the image. A smooth surface is desirable.
I am super excited about this series and will be back there tomorrow. Hopefully with some more sunshine. 🙂
I have two hummingbirds that live in my garden so I know how active they are. I am amazed at the stunning photos you have taken. Congratulations, they are really special.
Oh how lucky you are ! I have two hummingbird feeders and no visitors. 😦 Thank you so much for your truly kind words Charlie.
Just: BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thank you so much ! I appreciate your visit and taking the time to comment. Hope to see you back soon. Bella
🙂
these are exceptional photos – so much detail…superb!
Isn’t it truly amazing? I love hummingbirds so much. Thank you so much for your wonderful compliment.
Simply stunning x
Thank you so much sweetie. 🙂
These are absolutely stunning! I think I need to start saving towards a Mark III ! Fantastic detail, fantastic shots to be extremely proud of! 🙂
Oh my…what a difference that camera makes ! Canon just announced the new 70D, but I don’t know the price point yet. And I thought the 7D was awesome. Who knew??? Thank you so much for your compliment.
70D??? I only have a 450D but it’s my most prized possession! 🙂
Great captures! I have yet to capture a suitable photo of a hummer. I need to try harder. Maybe move the feeder too since it’s at the edge of the porch on the north side of the house and the light is pretty dark there. Will have to try turning the ISO WAY up! Thanks for the tip!
Oh yes…move the feeder to better light, nice background. These are up against the building, thus the great background. I bet you can get great pics of your hummers too. I look forward to seeing them.
Thanks for the tip! We don’t seem to have the numbers this year that we have had in the past. I’ve only seen one! Same thing with my mother and sister who live about an hour away from me. They must have a different migration route this year.
Stunning shots, Emily. Magnificent birds and I love the legend. 🙂
Thank you so much you very dear friend. Appreciate your kindness.
You have captured this little one so beautifully.
If you as a super photographer think they’re well done, then I am truly humbled. Thank you so very much Lisa!
I must say I prefer the magic of Papyrus to the technical details, although I do appreciate you sharing your extensive knowledge 🙂 on how to achieve the magic! Beautiful arrested motion!! Anyone who understands birds will appreciate what you have done!!! Thanks for sharing the magic!!!!
LOL ! I agree..the magic of the Papyrus is far more interesting. But thanks to the techie part, we can appreciate nature at its finest. The best part, hearing their wings humming when they fly by your head.
Fantastic photos of these tiny jewels Emily!
Thank you so much Phil ! Truly a wonderful compliment from a fantastic wildlife photographer that you are.
“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Lovely, Emily! You continue to make me grateful to live in a world of beauty…
You are so kind Rebecca. Funny, I like every little thing in the world around us and just love to share it. You truly get the message I’m trying to share. 🙂
Just beautiful –
Thank you so much Lynne. Truly appreciate your kind words.
Lover of the Hummers – Beautiful Captures:)
Nice ! Do you have hummingbirds near you? I’d imagine you have different ones.
Beautiful, very well done work… 🙂
It’s all those years and hours spent stalking other birds to get me to this level of photos. Thank you so much Drake.
I am jealous, I really want a camera with much better ISO settings. They came out so well.
Thank you so much Leanne ! You deserve an awesome camera so much. Your work is so unique and impressive. Hope you get your hands on one soon. 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! So helpful! Hummingbirds are so hard to get quality photos of!