Help needed...how can I improve on this? hummingbird picture

wildviper

Hi All,

I have been blessed by this hummingbird nesting right outside my window. However, the pictures I took today don't look all that hot. I am attaching two pictures so that you can see what is the environment around.

This is on a 2nd floor of my house and the humming bird keeps on flying out and coming right back. Not much time it leaves the nest. Seems like there maybe an egg or something.

I want to capture the bird in flight, but it is almost impossible...it is waaay faster than i can focus on.

I have a Nikon D70s with a Sigma 70-300mm Macro lense, a 50mm 1.8 lense and the 18-70mm Nikon lense.

This is bird is literally 2 feet away from the window. Appreciate any tips. Lighting is kinda hard. Should I use flash and startle it??

wildviper

here is the second picture

raptorcaptor

If you want to photograph the hummingbird in flight I would recommend putting up a feeder where you have a good clear shot of the bird. Remove or cover some of the feeder holes so that the bird goes exactly where you want it to.

Once the eggs hatch you will be able to get some nice shots of the mother feeding. Try and keep the shutter noise from startling her. (Don't want her to abandon the nest!)

jwear

some will say that the flash is ok ----it is not ok it will give her /him a start so be very careful

M. Lentz

Get some nice flowers and place them near feeders, drip sugar water on the flowers as well.... they will come in like this.





Have fun!

wildviper

Wow...those are cool pictures. Too bad I don't have money to buy those fast lenses you seem to have taken these pictures with.

I will try and set this up...see what I come up with.

Thanx for the help.

summerz

Those are awesome. We get about 30 of them each Summer.:D I miss them in the winter:cry .
They are the sure sign of Spring when they come buzzing back.

jonh68

wildviper wrote:

Wow...those are cool pictures. Too bad I don't have money to buy those fast lenses you seem to have taken these pictures with.

I will try and set this up...see what I come up with.

Thanx for the help.

You don't have to have a fast lens if you have great lighting. The morning/evening sun is the best time since the light is not overhead so it shines on their little bodies more.

sanford tullis

The first shot is awesome! You never get to see hummingbirds on the nest. Don't get me wrong I love good flying pictures of them but a rare shot adds beauty to it. I would try a polorizer filter to shoot thru the glass with, and it will cut some of the hard light, keep shooting and enjoy your neighbour!