Fiery-throated Hummingbird - Costa Rica

[Don Cohen]

I *finally* got caught up, and posted some images from my photography workshop in Costa Rica from this past April. We saw and shot a large number of new species despite this being my 10th trip down there!

The shots below are of a Fiery-throated Hummingbird. The first shot shows him in flight, but doesn't display the red-throat which is the source for its name. The second shot does illustrate this, although it doesn't nearly capture the intensity that is seen in real life. As with other Hummingbirds, you've got to get the bird, the light, and your camera lens, all in the right alignment to get the full effect. The bird is well-named!

Both shots with the Canon 1D Mark IV.

Canon 600L/f4 IS
ISO 500, 1/1000 second, f/4

Canon 70-200L/f2.8 IS at 148mm
ISO 400, 1/800 second, f/5.6​

Any comments, constructive criticisms always welcome.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I *finally* got caught up, and posted some images from my photography workshop in Costa Rica from this past April. We saw and shot a large number of new species despite this being my 10th trip down there!

The shots below are of a Fiery-throated Hummingbird. The first shot shows him in flight, but doesn't display the red-throat which is the source for its name. The second shot does illustrate this, although it doesn't nearly capture the intensity that is seen in real life. As with other Hummingbirds, you've got to get the bird, the light, and your camera lens, all in the right alignment to get the full effect. The bird is well-named!

Both shots with the Canon 1D Mark IV.

Canon 600L/f4 IS
ISO 500, 1/1000 second, f/4

Canon 70-200L/f2.8 IS at 148mm
ISO 400, 1/800 second, f/5.6​

Don,

I adore these fascinating creatures. All the work they do in collecting nectar is merely to provide the extra energy for their insect foraging!

I am in envy of having a 600mm lens for this. It's not the glass one just happens to have on one's camera, so where did you find the bird and how were you so prepared?

Asher

 

[Andy brown]

Don, lovely images (business as usual), I love the first one, the lines, the movement, the tones all work perfectly.
I'm a bird fan but also interested in botanica.
Do you have a rough idea of the flower/plant species here?

 

[Don Cohen]

Hey Guys,

Sorry for the delay in response - the forum has apparently been having some problems, and I didn't receive my usual notification when posts are made.

Asher - the guides we travel with in Costa Rica are simply phenomenal in terms of their knowing what's there, when they're there, and where and when to find them. We went to this particular location specifically to find the Fiery-throated Hummmingbird, and find it we did. We have all of our gear in the bus as we travel around, and more often than not, the 600mm is what I'm shooting with.

Andy - thanks for the kind words. And I wondered the same thing - they are very beautiful flowers. But alas, I have no idea - it's a significant challenge keeping up with identifying the bird species, so I haven't even attempted to track the flora as well!

 

[Paul Abbott]

Hey Don, your first image is beautiful and such a colourful one with the bird really standing out with it's own colours, it has a great perspective showing what this little creature does best; it knocks the second one into a cocked and beaten up old hat...maybe I should have said 'halo'.

 

[Don Cohen]

Thanks for the comments Paul.

I'm not really happy with the second image either - not the right head position. But I included it as it's the only decent shot that shows its "fiery-throat"! Next time I hope for better!