Nature Ruby Throat Hummingbird images (perched)

Ruby Throat Hummingbird images (perched) · **2 Likes**

I know a lot of folks love their latest and greatest equipment, but here are some images of my favorite subject in my garden.

Self Maintenance I:

Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K10D
Exposure Time 0.004s (1/250)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 320
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2368 x 1581

Self Maintenance II:

Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K10D
Exposure Time 0.005s (1/200)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 320
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2401 x 1606

Still using the K10D + FA* 250-600/5.6 for the shots. So can "old equipment" still make the grade?

Regards,
Marc

**Ash** · 06-06-2011, 01:59 AM

Marc, these are amongst the most beautiful hummingbird captures I have seen shot wide open.
I knew I would be amazed before clicking on the thread, but you've exceeded my expectations.
Beautiful.
This old kit will always make the grade in your hands.

**dcmsox2004** · 06-06-2011, 02:26 AM

fine captures bob... still trying to entice/lure some of these beauties... no luck so far... dave m

**Digitalis** · 06-06-2011, 03:52 AM

Impressive work as always

**Sailor** · 06-06-2011, 05:53 AM

Marc these are outstanding - as usual. The first one, with its focus on the bird's beak, simply fascinates me.

Jer

SanMat · 06-06-2011, 07:52 AM

Great as always Marc. May favorite aspect is the reddish color coming through in the first one.

**andre-mz5** · 06-06-2011, 08:19 AM

This just shows that some "old glass"

on an old body but in the hand of an (old?) master can still deliver breathaking pictures.

**Marc Langille** · 06-07-2011, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Marc, these are amongst the most beautiful hummingbird captures I have seen shot wide open.
I knew I would be amazed before clicking on the thread, but you've exceeded my expectations.
Beautiful.
This old kit will always make the grade in your hands.

Hi Ash,

Your comments have struck a chord on how I prefer to do my nature photography... I am honored that you think so - thank you so much!

That means I have a few questions for you (and others in general). Is it apparent in much of my photography with hummingbirds - that I don't go for the multi-flash setups and my images are very natural in appearance (lighting, background, etc.). I try to capture the birds when they are at one with nature, not being startled by flashes firing, etc. Does that make sense: that I could follow the nearly technical path, but at what loss to seeing something in a natural setting?

I do like those images, those beautiful shots of the hummingbird in mid-air and at F/22 when using a multiple flash setup, but it's not in the natural setting. I've seen more than a few workshops and books based solely on this kind of photography - it's impressive technically, but I have always preferred the artistic + technical challenge vs. an almost purely technical challenge. No focus trap, nothing - just using my reflexes and awareness (garnered from sports).

Regards,
Marc

gibikote · 06-07-2011, 06:13 PM

superb. Seeing a hummingbird perched...is almost like still life

**Marc Langille** · 06-08-2011, 04:21 AM

Originally posted by dcmsox2004

fine captures bob... still trying to entice/lure some of these beauties... no luck so far... dave m

Hi Dave, it really takes patience in larger quantities after they've acclimated to your presence. Small, fast objects such as these are sometimes difficult to capture on camera!

Curious: were you aware that I posted an article here on attracting hummingbirds? It covers plant choices, feeders and maintenance, general information. Would that be of interest?

BTW, they regularly return to the same locale, so we often have repeat visitors from the year before - that also helps build the base.

Originally posted by Digitalis

Impressive work as always

Glad to share and really appreciate the comment! I try to make it a point to read your objective and technical contributions in the forum - very useful.

Regards,
Marc

Frogfish · 06-08-2011, 08:27 AM

You're becoming so predictable Marc ... superb yet again !

In response to your question above - I suppose it only matters to the viewer if the flash used is obvious and spoils the image because of that. I've seen some cracking HB shots that must have been taken with flash .... but it certainly wasn't obvious to my eye. No chance of flash spoiling your shots.

I guess you must have a lifetimes supply of free feeders too now ..... no ?

**crewl1** · 06-08-2011, 08:37 AM

I think he missed a spot.

Great captures - will search for your post on attracting the little guys - unless you want to post a link?

**Marc Langille** · 06-08-2011, 10:06 AM

As requested: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/69578-attracting-pho...mingbirds.html

Also a link (with discussion) which you may find useful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/65256-how-correctly-expose-birds.html

Regards,
Marc

**manishved** · 06-08-2011, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by Marc Langille

As requested: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/69578-attracting-pho...mingbirds.html

Also a link (with discussion) which you may find useful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/65256-how-correctly-expose-birds.html

Regards,
Marc

Those are some good tips.

8540tomg · 06-09-2011, 04:57 AM

Always check out your posts Marc and you never disappoint.

Never seen a hummer preen themselves before as they never seem to land. Thanks for sharing.

Tom G

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06-08-2011, 10:06 AM	#13
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	both are in the Articles section As requested: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/69578-attracting-pho...mingbirds.html Also a link (with discussion) which you may find useful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/65256-how-correctly-expose-birds.html Regards, Marc

06-09-2011, 04:57 AM	#15
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Always check out your posts Marc and you never disappoint. Never seen a hummer preen themselves before as they never seem to land. Thanks for sharing. Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 06-09-2011 at 10:41 AM.

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06-06-2011, 01:59 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Marc, these are amongst the most beautiful hummingbird captures I have seen shot wide open. I knew I would be amazed before clicking on the thread, but you've exceeded my expectations. Beautiful. This old kit will always make the grade in your hands.

06-06-2011, 02:26 AM	#3
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	fine captures bob... still trying to entice/lure some of these beauties... no luck so far... dave m

06-06-2011, 03:52 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Impressive work as always

06-06-2011, 05:53 AM	#5
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Marc these are outstanding - as usual. The first one, with its focus on the bird's beak, simply fascinates me. Jer

06-06-2011, 07:52 AM	#6
SanMat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 129	Great as always Marc. May favorite aspect is the reddish color coming through in the first one.

06-06-2011, 08:19 AM	#7
andre-mz5 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Eindhoven Photos: Gallery Posts: 268	This just shows that some "old glass" on an old body but in the hand of an (old?) master can still deliver breathaking pictures.

06-07-2011, 04:04 PM	#8
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash Marc, these are amongst the most beautiful hummingbird captures I have seen shot wide open. I knew I would be amazed before clicking on the thread, but you've exceeded my expectations. Beautiful. This old kit will always make the grade in your hands. Hi Ash, Your comments have struck a chord on how I prefer to do my nature photography... I am honored that you think so - thank you so much! That means I have a few questions for you (and others in general). Is it apparent in much of my photography with hummingbirds - that I don't go for the multi-flash setups and my images are very natural in appearance (lighting, background, etc.). I try to capture the birds when they are at one with nature, not being startled by flashes firing, etc. Does that make sense: that I could follow the nearly technical path, but at what loss to seeing something in a natural setting? I do like those images, those beautiful shots of the hummingbird in mid-air and at F/22 when using a multiple flash setup, but it's not in the natural setting. I've seen more than a few workshops and books based solely on this kind of photography - it's impressive technically, but I have always preferred the artistic + technical challenge vs. an almost purely technical challenge. No focus trap, nothing - just using my reflexes and awareness (garnered from sports). Regards, Marc

06-07-2011, 06:13 PM	#9
gibikote Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vellore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 83	superb. Seeing a hummingbird perched...is almost like still life

06-08-2011, 04:21 AM	#10
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by dcmsox2004 fine captures bob... still trying to entice/lure some of these beauties... no luck so far... dave m Hi Dave, it really takes patience in larger quantities after they've acclimated to your presence. Small, fast objects such as these are sometimes difficult to capture on camera! Curious: were you aware that I posted an article here on attracting hummingbirds? It covers plant choices, feeders and maintenance, general information. Would that be of interest? BTW, they regularly return to the same locale, so we often have repeat visitors from the year before - that also helps build the base. Originally posted by Digitalis Impressive work as always Glad to share and really appreciate the comment! I try to make it a point to read your objective and technical contributions in the forum - very useful. Regards, Marc

06-08-2011, 08:27 AM	#11
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	You're becoming so predictable Marc ... superb yet again ! In response to your question above - I suppose it only matters to the viewer if the flash used is obvious and spoils the image because of that. I've seen some cracking HB shots that must have been taken with flash .... but it certainly wasn't obvious to my eye. No chance of flash spoiling your shots. I guess you must have a lifetimes supply of free feeders too now ..... no ?

06-08-2011, 08:37 AM	#12
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	I think he missed a spot. Great captures - will search for your post on attracting the little guys - unless you want to post a link?

06-08-2011, 11:08 AM	#14
manishved Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. Calif Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,651	Originally posted by Marc Langille As requested: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/69578-attracting-pho...mingbirds.html Also a link (with discussion) which you may find useful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/65256-how-correctly-expose-birds.html Regards, Marc Those are some good tips.