Two days ago a new species appeared at the flower patch on Antelope Island – a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Through the lens and in the right light her dorsal iridescence was much more showy than that of the Rufous and Black-chinned Hummingbirds (especially when she had her back to us) that we’ve been photographing for a couple of weeks now and that immediately got my attention but in the field I was more concerned about getting the shot than I was about ID. It was Mia who determined the species after we left the island. I really struggle with hummingbird ID…
I do wish the left wing-tip wasn’t behind the bill but otherwise I’m quite pleased with the image, especially considering that it’s a new (photographic) species for me. I’ve been photographing birds long enough now that “lifers” don’t happen every day.
Ron
Note: I’m not a “birder” in the classic sense so for me a lifer is a new species photographed well, not simply seen.
A golden beauty.
Hi! Great shot! You know I love those little hummers! I think I only have two coming here in Va. Ruby-throat and the broad-tailed?
sometimes I get good shots of them! Have a great day!
pretty little birdie … wonderful image, Ron!!!
Thank you, Lois.
No hummingbirds in Australia!!! That’s TERRIBLE!!! Mia!! Ron! Let’s send her some!!!
Yes please. And rather a lot of your other birds too. Including raptors with britches.
You’re incorrigible, Elephant’s Child…
I love Ellie Baby’s response!!!
Me too (there are no hummingbirds in Australia…)
ID’ing hummers here in this part of the East is easy…we only have one kind…the Ruby Throated……got visited by several kinds when I was west of the Mississippi….I miss them!
IDing hummers here is even easier. They are all hallucinations.
And I am grateful that Ron and Mia share theirs. Birds not hallucinations.
Thank you, Elephant’s Child. From both of us.
Speaking of Mia…she’s posted a fantastic capture of two juvenile red-tailed hawks fighting or playing…don’t miss it!!!
I didn’t, Patty – in more ways than one. I’ll be posting some of my own shots of that hawk encounter soon. Mia’s shot can be seen here.
http://onthewingphotography.com/wings/2014/08/30/fighting-red-tailed-hawk-juveniles/
Ron–Don’t worry about ID’ing these little jobbies…it’ easy–they’re “hummingbirds”…once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all…. ; )
Patty, In my digital filing system all my birds are grouped according to species. All of them except hummingbirds. Every hummer shot is just filed as a “hummingbird” rather than by species because I have no confidence in my ability to ID them…
It’s her body position that fascinates me. I’m used to seeing the body a bit more horizontal. Impressive shot. 🙂
I have a few more rather interesting body positions, Arwen. I’ll have to post some of them down the line sometime.
Beautiful in focus shot. Love to see the iridescence in all of the species of hummers. The light was so right for your beautiful shot. I would have trouble IDing hummingbirds too. Here we get Ruby Throats primarily, although others of the species have been spotted in recent years. All the juveniles look like the female until they get close to one year of age. Then their gorget could change color of they are male.
I agree, Ellen – juvies and females are very difficult (at least for me) to ID, whatever the hummer species.
Ron the position of the bill and wing makes me know this shot is REAL. It is wonderful to see birds in nature as they are and not as they are Photoshopped. Honor yourself and your wonderful skill. Thanks so much
Ok, talked me into it, Diana. I like the bill position relative to the wing too… Thanks.
Beautiful portrait Ron.
Thanks, John.
A fantastic shot! Really captured the iridescence…love the Position including the fact that the left wing tip is behind the bill…everything is so wonderfully crisp and clear…great detail….her wings almost look translucent. No wonder they are so often referred to as flying jewels, they really are. Congratulations on a great capture!
Patty, when light hits them just right “flying jewels” fits them perfectly. Thank you.
Fantastic shot! How exciting to have a lifer! Thanks for sharing Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Beautiful photo of a species I’ve not seen before. As far as identification goes, I guess there are people who can figure out hummers, just like there are some people who can identify grasses easily. Hummers may be a little easier to identify than grasses, but I’m not one of those people in either case… I’m glad Mia can do Hummingbirds. And congratulations on your lifer.
Thanks, Susan. I guess there’s a finite amount of room in this old brain of mine and the finer details of ID seem to just dribble out my ears. Thankfully, photography technique seems to “stick” a little better…