Haven't posted for a while, so here's a few of my favorites from the past month. They're all from our backyard butterfly / hummingbird garden.

Hummingbirds and butterflies with F*300/4.5, hand-held and available light.
Macros with Vivitar Series 1 - 105/2.5, handheld and most with 540 flash unit

Thanks for looking and C&C welcome and encouraged!

Bud

1) Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
1/320s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso200

2) Ruby-Throated Hummingbird on Cardinal Flower
1/1250s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso200

3) Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and Salvia Chiapensis
1/500s f/6.3 at 300.0mm iso400

4) Ruby-Throated Hummingbird on Kniphofia "Red Hot Poker"
1/1250s f/6.3 at 300.0mm iso400

5) Juvenile Male learning that there's other ways to get to the nectar
1/320s f/5.0 at 300.0mm iso400

6) BIG Strrrreeetch...
1/250s f/6.3 at 300.0mm iso400

7) Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Coneflower
1/800s f/9.0 at 300.0mm iso400

8) Red Admiral Butterfly on Yellow Coneflower
/320s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso100

And a couple of my favorite garden bug... The Robber Fly... they're so cool!
9) 1/180s f/20.0 at 100.0mm iso400

10) 1/180s f/18.0 at 100.0mm iso200

[vievetrick]

Great shots I may have the wife do some plantings next year. We had a few in years oast but nothing yet that I have scene this year. Great shots and thanks for sharing them

[Photo Tramp]

Fantastic shots, every one of these shots are so rich in color and crisp clear Spot on focus. Excellent, Excellent work.

[Bud]

the last one is amazing, looks like a super-mean predator alien thing

Thanks, Miguel! They're one of my favorite garden subjects... great eyes

[Bud]

Nearly fell out of my chair looking at these images. They're just mindbogging! I can barely follow a hummingbird with my naked eyes, forget about trying to freeze one in mid flight with a camera. Incredibly beautiful, all of them.

Thank you for the very kind comments! I really appreciate it.

Bud

[Bud]

Thanx very much for the info Bud. May try it in the front yard ... dogs will just chase them away in the back regardless of what I do...

You're quite welcome and I guarantee you won't regret starting that hummingbird garden. Make sure you're ready with a macro lens, too, when all of the bugs start showing up

I try to set aside, at least, 30-45 minutes every day when the backyard is just mine... then, and only then... I share it with the dogs.

[Bud]

Great shots I may have the wife do some plantings next year. We had a few in years oast but nothing yet that I have scene this year. Great shots and thanks for sharing them

Do it! One thing nice about establishing a garden is that you'll get returnees every year. Put out a couple of feeders as well and you'll get even more.

[Bud]

Fantastic shots, every one of these shots are so rich in color and crisp clear Spot on focus. Excellent, Excellent work.

Thank you very much! Your comments are greatly appreciated!

[LaRee]

Wow Bud those hummers are amazing. I couldn't pick a favorite if I had to. And MAN those flies are sci-fi looking!

[Bud]

Wow Bud those hummers are amazing. I couldn't pick a favorite if I had to. And MAN those flies are sci-fi looking!

Thanks, Laree! I've been "honing my craft" with the hummingbirds this year and have really enjoyed the camera and lens. Same goes for the Vivitar and all of the bizarre garden critters I've discovered trying to figure out the macro thing.

Thanks again,

Bud