Soar with the Eagles...

[Loose Canon]

...well, for me its more like flit with the hummingbirds!

[Polar01]

Terry: I could hate you for that image, it is just so darn (want to say Damm) good. I do not even want to think about how you did it, just keep on doing it.

Cheers:

Allan

[Bobobird]

Damn good shot Terry. Damn good!

About hummers - if you have a backyard and setup up feeders they will come to you. In the wild? Forget it.

[Scott Stephen]

Very very nice! Do you mind sharing the camera settings you used? The lighting? Are you actually at the camera, or are you operating it from a remote distance?

[Steve S]

Excellent job terry!!

[wlou]

She sure is beatifull Terry. Well done. I am jalous too.

[jprzybyla]

whatever technique you are using keep doing it. While most great nature shots are mostly being in the right place at the right time, I have a feeling this one was planned. Well done Terry.

[Loose Canon]

Terry: I could hate you for that image, it is just so darn (want to say Damm) good. I do not even want to think about how you did it, just keep on doing it.

Cheers:

Allan

Thank you, Allan!

Damn good shot Terry. Damn good!

About hummers - if you have a backyard and setup up feeders they will come to you. In the wild? Forget it.

Thank you, Bobo.

There is a feeder I am working with. The day I shot this over 10 birds were counted for sure at the feeder at one time. They swarm like bees on a hive and there is most of the time no way to count them. They start at daylight, go through most of the day with activity slowing (but never stopping completely) during the heat of the day. They start cranking back up late afternoon and go until dark.

Very very nice! Do you mind sharing the camera settings you used? The lighting? Are you actually at the camera, or are you operating it from a remote distance?

Thank you, Scott.

I can get right up to the minimum focus distance with a 70-200 f/2.8L with these birds if I want to. No blind is necessary. As long as I make no sudden moves they don’t mind my presence. If I make a sudden move they will fly off only to fly right back. So I am at the camera.

I don’t mind sharing my settings at all. Maybe someone might see something I should be doing differently.

This shot was at F/4.0, 1/1600, ISO 400 @ 200mm. One shot manual focus. Evaluative metering. For some reason I am finding I can pre-focus on the feeder. Roll the focus ring either way with my thumb while supporting the lens. It doesn’t take much rolling but the hard part is trying to remember which way focuses in and which out! I don’t have much time to bring them into focus and it seems to be faster than auto.

I fired three Speedlights. One in a 43” softbox @ ¼ power and set approx. 2-3 feet away from the feeder and around 45*. Another in a 16” softbox set around 5-6 feet away (as close as physically possible for this area) @ ¼ power and around 60*. The third light was on a camera bracket set for ETTL HSS and wearing a Fong Lightsphere.

I used a tripod but had to keep the ball head relatively loose (just a tad bit of resistance) so I could move the camera quickly.

Excellent job terry!!

I consider you The Master Hummingbird Shootist, Steve. Thank you very much.

She sure is beatifull Terry. Well done. I am jalous too.

Thank you, Louise. No need to be jealous. If I can do it, you can for durn sure.

whatever technique you are using keep doing it. While most great nature shots are mostly being in the right place at the right time, I have a feeling this one was planned. Well done Terry.

Thank you, Joe. Regardless of how much planning I do, for me it is still a lot of luck! I have to go away in a couple of days, but these birds typically hang around here until sometimes October. I hope to get another shot at them.

[WJT]

Brilliant Terry and all power to you for observing, noting and acting. You deserve these perfect results. I have tried less successfully some of your techniques but may be all the better for you posting this photo and telling us your secrets.

[Plumcrak]

Terry, great shot and thanks for the info on your set up, very helpful...might have to give it a try

[terrib]

Another beautiful shot, Terry. This is gorgeous. Thank you for the details. I am going to keep trying, although I only have one external flash to work with.

[Loose Canon]

Brilliant Terry and all power to you for observing, noting and acting. You deserve these perfect results. I have tried less successfully some of your techniques but may be all the better for you posting this photo and telling us your secrets.

Of all the things I have ever been accused of Wayne, "brilliant" has never been one among them!

Thank you, Wayne.

Terry, great shot and thanks for the info on your set up, very helpful...might have to give it a try

Thank you, Jon. And you are more than welcome. They are a lot of fun to shoot Jon. They are amazing creatures. Sometimes I find myself missing opportunity because I am having too much fun watching them to try to get just one in the crosshairs!

Another beautiful shot, Terry. This is gorgeous. Thank you for the details. I am going to keep trying, although I only have one external flash to work with.

Thank you, Terri. I hope my blunderings give you some inspiration. Generally speaking, if you will take what I say I have done and then do the exact opposite, you will nail it!

And it can certainly be done with one external flash. Go get 'em Terri and I will be looking forward to seeing your results.

[annie5154]

What a beautiful image Terry ..... and it is enhanced by its framing. Well done, Anne

[Donald]

Just catching up after having been away over the weekend.

Just want to add my compliments on a superb image. The background could not have been better in terms of complementing the bird but also providing the highlight against which we can see it (the bird) to best effect.

A magnificent piece of work.

[Loose Canon]

Thank you, Donald.

I appreciate you taking the time to comment, sir.

[RockNGoalStar]

Exquisite.