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Calliope Hummingbird

D

Doug Herr

Member
This Calliope Hummingbird has been a willing (usually) model for the last five years while I brought my equipment and technique up to the task of photographing him. It's been a bit challenging to make the picture I wanted because of the remote location in the Sierra Nevada, the limited time he can be reliably found, and the unpredictable weather of the mountains. This year I'm finally willing to say I've got the photos I wanted.

selcal20.jpg


selcal22.jpg


selcal23.jpg
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Yes, Doug, this is an achievement indeed. Can you relate the stages in your gradual approach to mastering this.

Can hummingbirds be induced to naturally nest in hummingbird areas in parks?

Is it even legal?

Asher
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
I see the shutter speed was 1/125 second but no flash! That’s to me amazing and a huge amount of patients to know it’s perch and simply wait for that fleeting opportunity.

Dragon flies have that behavior where they go on feeding patrol, tracking prey in flight, and then returning to their favorite plant!

Asher
 
D

Doug Herr

Member
Asher Kelman said:
I see the shutter speed was 1/125 second but no flash! That’s to me amazing and a huge amount of patients to know it’s perch and simply wait for that fleeting opportunity.

Dragon flies have that behavior where they go on feeding patrol, tracking prey in flight, and then returning to their favorite plant!

Asher
Click to expand...

Previously I had many photos where I had pushed the ISO higher to 'get the shot' and having gotten the shot I lowered the ISO (to reduce noise & improve DR) while stopping down for a modicum of DOF which meant slowing the shutter speed. I made a lot of exposures knowing that I'd delete many due to subject motion blur. I figured that sooner or later the bird would be still for the right slice of time.

I knew which perch he'd use because he's been using the same ones for the last five years; meanwhile he's gradually become accustomed to a big shiny eye at close range clicking at him.
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Doug,

Thanks for sharing this amazing challenge you gave yourself. I don’t feel so bad now about my many failures to date!

How long to these birds live?

Do you ever use flash?

Asher
 
D

Doug Herr

Member
Asher Kelman said:
Doug,

Thanks for sharing this amazing challenge you gave yourself. I don’t feel so bad now about my many failures to date!

How long to these birds live?

Do you ever use flash?

Asher
Click to expand...

No idea how long they live, but I suspect this bird may be approaching the end of a normal lifespan. I haven't used flash in many years.
 
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