More H.O.A.R.T.

H.O.A.R.T. (Hummingbird On A Redwood Twig)

What started as one session with the hummingbirds in the backyard evolved into a series. I found a small redwood twig to photograph the hummingbirds on and it snowballed from there. I ended up creating hundreds of images on the same little perch. Editing it down to just five images was quite a chore. All of these images were created with a Canon EOS 7D camera with a Canon 100-400IS v.1 lens. A  Canon 550 EX Speedlight was used for fill light. # teamcanonusa

Hummingbirds in My Backyard

This afternoon I created a quick set up in the backyard. I grabbed a small redwood twig attached it to a light stand. Then I placed it right up next to the hummingbird feeder. I moved my new hummingbird photoblind as close to the feeder as my lens would focus The hummingbirds were fighting to use the perch that I put up as soon as I was out of the way and in the blind.There were almost all Anna's Hummingbirds mixed up with one Allen's/Rufous Hummingbird. It was a male and he only used the perch twice so I never got a decent image of him. The hummingbirds were active until the lighting got too low for me to photograph. After editing these these were my four favorite images. God's light and love to all, chris    All images were created with a Canon EOS 7D MKII camera and a Canon 100-400IS v.1 lens. Fill flash was provided by a Canon 550 EX Speedlight. #teamcanonusa

Beautiful Hummingbird Kind of Day

This afternoon I gathered up all of my hummingbird photography equipment and headed out into the backyard. I set it all up and climbed into my new hummingbird blind. I had my trusty Canon EOS 7D MKII camera with a Canon 100-400IS V.1 telephoto lens mounted on it. For lighting I had three Canon 540EZ Speedlights. One focused on the background and two for the hummingbird. After about a twenty minute wait the hummingbirds started coming into the feeder. I had some purple petunias set up in front of the feeder fro the hummingbirds to sample as well. There were two male Annas coming in as well as one Allen's/Rufous hummingbird. I had a great time and so did the hummingbirds. God's love and blessings to all, chris #teamcanonusa

Fall Migration or Goodbye to the Hummingbirds

We are definitely moving into fall because over the last weekend most of my hummingbirds moved on. Some probably headed over to the coast and others likely moved further south. Migration is on especially for the hummingbirds. This afternoon when I went out into the backyard to do some hummingbird photography there were only three hummingbirds left. As usual Papaya the blasted cat showed up to scare them away. I didn't mind too much because the hummingbirds aren't that afraid of the cat unless she is right next to the feeder. As soon as she had passed by they were right back. I created almost sixty images and after uploading them to the computer I had about eight images that I really liked. Overall this image was my favorite. It symbolizes fall really well. God's blessings upon your weekend, chris This image of an Ann's Hummingbird was created with a Canon 7D MkII camera and a Canon 100-400 IS V.1 lens at 220mm with a 12mm extension tube added to it for close focusing. Lighting was provided by four Canon 540EZ Speedlights set to 1/64th power. The camera settings used were M mode, ISO 400, F 11.0 at 1/160th of a sec. If you want more details of how to photograph hummingbirds please check out chapter six of my book, Secrets of Backyard Bird Photography at your local library or on Amazon. It isavailable both in hardbound and a s an Ebook. #teamcanonusa, #teamcanon, #secretsofbackyardbirdphotography

Quick Set Up

This morning I was up and at'em even before the sun climbed up over the Mendocino Range to the east of us. I grabbed four speed light flashes and a single red Zinnia flower and created a quick hummingbird photography set up in the backyard in about fifteen minutes. I didn't even bother with a photoblind as the hummingbirds are pretty used to humans in the backyard so long as you don't make too many fast movements. There were a lot of hummingbirds! My best guess was that there were roughly around thirty of them. They were mostly Anna's with a few Allen's/ Rufous thrown in. At one point one of the young males tried to take over the feeder. That lasted only about three or four minutes before he gave up. There were just too many opponents to try and fend off. I had a really good time both watching and photographing them. It's been awhile since I did much photography. I've been working on a lot of deferred maintenance around the house. God's precious love and blessings to all, chris This image was created with a Canon EOS 7D MKII camera and a Canon 100-400 IS USM v.1 lens with a 12mm extension tube added for close focusing. Lighting was provided by four Canon 540EZ speedlights set to 1/64th power. The camera settings used were M mode, ISO 400, F 11.0 at 1/160th of a sec. #teamcanon

Up Close and Personal

I've never really like images of hummingbirds on feeders. Seeing the feeder included in the image just makes it seem too unnatural. However I took exception to that this morning when I set my photoblind and tripod right next to the feeder and I do mean right next to it! When I mounted my camera and macro lens onto the tripod the tip of the lens was a little less than a foot away from the feeder. I used some tape to block off all of the feeding ports except for the one on the side. When the hummingbirds started coming I was ready. I let them feed for awhile to get used to it and then I very slowly composed and focused the camera. Between the swinging of the feeder and the low light conditions I ended up with a lot of images that went directly into the trash. Three of them were just superb. I love the intimate look at the Annas' Hummingbirds that this macro lens could give. Hoping that you have a great weekend. God's blessings to all, chris All images were created with a Canon EOS 7D MkII camera and a Tamron SP DI 180mm Macro lens. The camera was mounted on a Manfrotto tripod with a Bogen 3055 Heavy duty ballhead. The camera settings used were manual focus, AV mode, ISO 800, F8.0, the shutter speeds used were 1/30th, 1/80th and 1/60th of a sec. #TeamCanon, #WithMyTamron

Hummingbirds!

The earth is slowly tilting away from the sun. It's almost the end of summer! It has taken me all summer to get around to doing some hummingbird photography. On Friday I stopped off at the nursery and purchased some petunias and zinnias. Friday night I put freshly charged batteries in all of my flashes. Then early on Saturday morning I worked for close to an hour getting everything all set up in the backyard. Placing flashes, choosing and setting up a colorful back drop. Then moving the photoblind into place etc. By the time I was finished I was able to photograph for about half an hour before the ambient light got too bright to photograph with. I left everything set up and I photographed for a short time Sunday afternoon. Last night I covered the flashes with plastic bags because it looked like it might rain. I'm so glad I did because we had a little rain last night and it has been lightly showering all morning. Checking outside this morning there were only four hummingbirds coming to the feeders. God's love and blessings upon your week, chris All of these images were created with a Canon 7D MkII camera and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM V.1 lens supported on a Manfrotto 055 XPROB pro Tripod with a Bogen heavy duty ballhead.. Flash was provided by six Canon 54EZ flashes set to 1/16th power. The camera settings used were. Manual mode, ISO 100, F14.0 at 1/160th of a sec.#TeamCanon

Tequila Sunrise Hummingbirds

Yesterday evening I photographed the hummingbirds using a new perch and a bright, colorful gradient background. My favorite drink is a Tequila Sunrise. The background of the hummingbird images in this blog are the same colors as are in the drink. Enjoy and God's blessings upon your day, chris Both of these images will be included on my Facebook group "The Thrifty Fifty Challenge". They were created with a Canon 7D MkII and a Canon 50mm f 1.8 lens. #TeamCanon

Hummingbird Heaven

When we got back from vacation we only had two hummingbirds left in our backyard. I immediately cleaned and restocked all of the feeders in the first week we were back. At the end of last week I replaced the pump for the hummingbird bath that had died during the heat wave that we have been having. Slowly the hummingbirds have been making a comeback. Thirsty little sugar vampires! This morning I counted over twenty. Pretty exciting to see. They really love our yard and so do we. Here are some images from yesterday afternoon from their favorite perch. It's in the oak tree arch that overlooks our backyard. The images were taken by using the progressive approximation approach. I slowly worked my way forward closer and closer to the perch. I would stop and take images and then stand motionless with my face pressed to the camera. I would then move forward and repeat the process all over again until I couldn't go forward any further closer to the perch.The hummingbirds gradually got used to me being there with the camera and tripod. God's blessings upon your weekend, chris All images were created with a Canon 7D mkII and a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. A Canon 550 EX flash set to -2 stops was used for fill flash on a Manfrotto flash bracket. The camera was supported with a Manfrotto 055 XPROB tripod with a Bogen heavy duty ballhead.ISO 800, AV mode, F 8.0 shutter speeds varied.#TeamCanon, #WithMyTamron

Spoils of War

I was up at sunrise and it is going to be a beautiful day. The Little Lake Valley down below was filled with fog which will burn off quickly. I was trying to get a few more hummingbird images. There was one male Anna's Hummingbird that was guarding the feeder with a vengeance. He was perched on my light stand and would dive off and attack any other hummingbirds that came anywhere near by. After one brutal skirmish that he knocked another hummingbird almost to the ground he came back with a feather he had plucked from his hapless victim. His trophy from the battle. It looks like it's not that easy to be a hummingbird! May you have a wonderful day and God bless, chris Both images were created with a Canon 7D mkII and a Canon 100-400IS v.1 lens on a Manfrotto Tripod with a bogen ballhead. #TeamCanon

Fly Away

The hummingbirds in my backyard have finally flown away. They are heading south and over to the coast where it's warmer. Also better habitats with more flowers. I have gone from a high of about fifty hummingbirds down to four. Here are a couple of Anna's images from yesterday and this morning. God bless your weekend, chris Both images were created with a Canon 7DmkII and a Canon 100-400IS v.1 lens. Camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 800 at F 8.0 shutter speeds varied. The camera was supported on a Manfrotto tripod with a Bogen ballhead.

Awesome Anna's

I haven't done much serious hummingbird photography for awhile. Yesterday I dragged out the photoblind into the backyard. I set up a single hummingbird feeder and put up a small slender perch for them to land on. I must say I didn't have a very long wait. The hummingbirds started using the feeder within minutes after I climbed into the blind and sat down. I photographed them for about twenty minutes and I had plenty of images to work with. This year I have had more hummingbirds visiting my backyard than ever before. It's pretty amazing. Thank you Lord for such beauty. Have a great day everyone, chris All images were created with a Canon 7DmkII and a Canon 100-400IS v.1. Camera settings used were AV mode, ISO 1600 F 8.0 shutter speeds varied #TeamCanon

Hummingbirds Prime Perch

I spent some time photographing the Anna's and Rufous Hummingbirds in the backyard over the past few days. The hummingbirds were using one perch in particular and there were quite a few battles fought over its prime location near the hummingbird feeders. I liked the perch because its closeness to the edge of our patio and it had the forest behind it for a background. Moving the camera six inches one way or another produced different colors in the background depending upon the type of trees behind it. Yesterday I trimmed some oak leaves from below the perch as they kept getting into the bottom of the frame. I was worried the hummingbirds would stop using the perch but they didn't seem to mind in fact they began using it even more. Last night and this morning I got around to editing all of the hummingbird images. There were quite a few including one dragonfly that liked this spot for hunting insects as well. God's love and blessings upon your day, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Tamron 150-600mm lens on a Manfrotto 190 XPROB tripod with a bogen heavy duty ballhead.

Back to the Hummingbirds

This morning found me out there photographing the hummingbirds. There weren't too many coming in but I had a great time and Badger the Wonder Dog just slept. Though he did jump up once when I scrambled to refocus on a hummingbird. It's amazing how dogs can sense your actions. He knew something exciting was happening and he wanted to be a part of whatever it was. Here are a couple of male Anna's Hummingbirds and one Bumblebee. God's tender love upon the rest of your day, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens and five Canon 540EZ flashes set to 1/16th power. Camera settings used were Manual mode, ISO 100, F 14.0 at 1/200th of a sec.

Room for Improvement

One of the great things about photography is that you are always learning. This morning I went out into the backyard and did some hummingbird photography and I tried something new.What I learned is that it didn't work. The image below is OK but it isn't spectacular. There is a lot of room for improvement. The flower was way overflashed and I had to tone it down when I processed the image. The wings aren't sharp. I need to back off on the flash and speed up my shutter speed a little. The background could use a bit more color. I'd also like to see a little more of side of the flower too. So I will need to move that further into the composition. There is always something new to learn. I'll be back at it tomorrow. God's love and blesings upon your day, chris Canon 7D, Canon 100-400IS lens v1, ISO 100, F22.0 at 1/200th of a sec. Multiple Canon 540EZ flashes.