Winging It

Posted by amy (Nanaimo, BC, Canada) on 24 March 2007 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

This calliope hummingbird shot was taken last summer out at the Okanagan in B.C. The image is a little blurred but I really like how the blur works for the image itself. The almost majestic angle of his head and neck with wing outstretched...

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Comments (15)

Streetlights from TN, United States

You are right, the blur works nicely conveying motion, speed and activity.

I would move the bird to the right of the frame giving it more space in the direction he is looking.

I like this shot. Good job!

24 Mar 2007 4:38pm

@Streetlights: Thank you! The reason I didn't go more right with the crop was because I wanted to keep the feeder out of frame. That's one of the ways (probably the only viable way) to stalk these little guys. I really appreciate your observation and opinion.... don't stop.

Wayne from Melbourne, Australia

I'm with you and Streetlights on this one...the blur really helps give a sense of dynamism to the photo.

As for the framing...while such things can't really be helped given the fast nature of the framing...I kinda like it in the corner where it is...I can certainly understand and appreciate Streetlights recommendation...but where it currently is, is still great because it draws more attention to the wings of the humming bird which to me is more interesting.

Great shot Amy!

24 Mar 2007 4:52pm

@Wayne: You know Wayne, all I was doing in the cropping was trying to keep the feeder out of frame... as I explained to StreetLights. But your observation makes me look at the image differently and see that it does draw the attention more to the wings. Thank you very mcuh!

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Fantastic.

24 Mar 2007 5:06pm

@badala: Thank you, badala.

Art Monkey from Salt Spring Island, Canada

what a great image! - I also think the blur works very well in this photo :)

24 Mar 2007 5:39pm

@Art Monkey: Thank you thank you thank you. It's so great to get this feedback (good or bad)

Still from Valence, France

Awesome image of frailty... I like it a lot!

24 Mar 2007 6:35pm

@Still: Coming from you Still, that is more than a compliment. I admire your work so much. Thank you.

Helen from Melbourne, Australia

Great shot Amy, these little tackers move so quickly. You have the dilemma I often find myself in with animal photos; the subject is close to the side it is facing. In this case I agree with your framing choice as you would lose some of that gorgeous blue in the background by cropping the right hand side. I'm with Wayne, I also think the bird needs that space for the wings.

24 Mar 2007 7:01pm

@Helen: It's so great when fresh eyes see things I've missed. We tend to look for what we find distracting or is perceived wrong but someone else may see what we've missed because we're looking too hard. I never even noticed how the blue of the sky worked with wings. Damn I'm good ;-) Thank you so much for this comment..

Reza from Montreal, Canada

It's fantastic shot. I think it's not so easy to capture a moment like this. Good job anyway.

24 Mar 2007 7:48pm

@Reza: Thanks for the visit Reza! and the great comment. You get hummingbirds in Quebec too, don't you? And you're right, hummers are very tricky to capture on 'film'... but the more I stalk the more I learn!!

Behrooz from Tehran, Iran

It's a very good shot amy! I love hummingbirds, though I have never meet one in person. :-)
Thanks for your visits to my page.

24 Mar 2007 8:24pm

@Behrooz: Behrooz! you're so welcome for the visits... they're worth my time as you are good! Thanks for your appreciation of this image. And as for meeting one? There are some places in the province I took this shot where the little blighters will fly at you and/or try to land on you if you're wearing red and or close to their feeders. They are just incredible little beasties!

Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica

This is a splendid shot! It's not easy to captre an image like that.

24 Mar 2007 9:45pm

@Stunner: Thanks so much Stunner.... I think my head is getting too big to fit through the door, tho' ;-)

bronzebilly u.k. from cardiff, United Kingdom

hey Amy--you've caught this little beauty as most of us would never see it --and shared the experience--that's the point--billy

24 Mar 2007 11:29pm

@bronzebilly u.k.: Billy, you say the nicest things. Thanks a zillion. (and you're right... that's the point; just sharing how we see the world)

Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom

I love the ghosting of the wing as it moves.

25 Mar 2007 1:00am

@Richard_Irwin: Thank you Richard. And thanks for all the visits, too!

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Sweet shot!

25 Mar 2007 3:13am

@Craiger: Ah Craiger... sweet comment... thanks a bunch.

Myst from Bologna, Italy

Great capture! Lovely!

25 Mar 2007 9:52am

@Myst: Thank you, Myst. I just loooove these birds.

Jen from Jessup, United States

The blue is perfect! Beautiful shot Amy!!!

25 Mar 2007 12:19pm

@Jen: From someone who has such a great eye... thank you thank you thank you..

Lydia from Ottawa, Canada

The blurred image totally works for this picture- good luck with future “stalkings!”

25 Mar 2007 8:08pm

@Lydia: Thanks Lydia. I'm hoping to catch a ruby throat this year in the right light for his throat to sparkle. Stalk stalk stalk..

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Nikon D70
1/320 second
F/5.6
450 mm (35mm equiv.)