Hummingbird in its nest

[reneripr]

Hi

I discover this hummigbird in its nest a week ago.
For me it was a difficult to shot due to high contrast and lot of leaves around the nest.
Flash was necessary to take this shot. I'm still learning how to dominate this beast (the flash).

"Green-throated Carib" (Eulampis holosericeus), Size: 10-12 cm.; weight: 4.9-7.8 g.

30D, EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, 1/250, F5.6, ISO 200, RAW, Tripod, Gimbal, Flash.


Saludos,
Rene

[Neon Rosell II]

reneripr said:

Hi

I discover this hummigbird in its nest a week ago.
For me it was a difficult to shot due to high contrast and lot of leaves around the nest.
Flash was necessary to take this shot. I'm still learning how to dominate this beast (the flash).

"Green-throated Carib" (Eulampis holosericeus), Size: 10-12 cm.; weight: 4.9-7.8 g.

30D, EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, 1/250, F5.6, ISO 200, RAW, Tripod, Gimbal, Flash.

Saludos,
Rene

Hi Rene,

Nice catch!! Since you have an almost stationary subject, why not try shooting with slow shutter speeds with out the flash. Master Romy was able to get some stunning photos using slow shutters down to 1/15 sec. It would not disturb the bird as well.

Just a suggestion, flash on nesting birds I think should not be used as there is a great possibility that it will scare the bird away and it might abandon its nest.

Cheers,

Neon

[reneripr]

neon2rosell said:

Hi Rene,

Nice catch!! Since you have an almost stationary subject, why not try shooting with slow shutter speeds with out the flash. Master Romy was able to get some stunning photos using slow shutters down to 1/15 sec. It would not disturb the bird as well.

Just a suggestion, flash on nesting birds I think should not be used as there is a great possibility that it will scare the bird away and it might abandon its nest.

Cheers,

Neon

Hi Neon,

Thanks for the sugestion, next time I will try to do it as you indicate. I'm absolutely open to new sugestions
About Romy... well... Romy is ligth years ahead of me, perhaps in
5 years I can do what he is doing today .

This little hummingbird attack me several times and also every
bird that enter near his small three nest.

To take the set of photos I do the following:
Initially I shoot it without flash and everything except the bird (that was very obscure) was ok.
Then I increase the exposure compensation by 2/3 and the bird exposure was enhanced but his
iridiscent colors was not present, his dark eyes doesn't have catchlight, and the three leaves began
to be burned.

Finally I use the flash at +1 1/3 (no better beamer)compensation to try to popup the feather colors and add
some catchlight to the deep black eyes of this little fighter bird.


Saludos,
Rene

[Lydia Robledo]

Nice catch there Senor! I've never seen a sunbird's nest even if I have the OBS visiting my garden everyday without fail. So that's how it looks like, similar to the fantail's nest. Word of caution though. I do not know the nesting habits of the sunbirds, but be sure that the bird will not sense a threat that will make it abandon its nest. lydia

[Romy Ocon]

Very colorful bird with what seems a tiny nest for the bird's size... nice catch, Rene!

Yes, like Neon said, a stationary bird is a prime candidate for slow shutter technique. Just choose a position where the background is about as bright as the bird so there's no blown areas later.

Here's an example of slow shutter technique - Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopecta, a Philippine endemic, male), 350D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, 0.8 sec shutter speed, ISO 200, f/10, tripod/gimbal head/remote switch, MLU:

[reneripr]

Thanks Mrs. Robledo and thanks Romy for the sugestions and super example of what Mr. Neon explain me in a previous thread.

Just for my peace of mind, today early in the morning, before going to work, I visit the nest and to my satisfaction, the little bird was still there.

I will try to do another set of shots during this weekend, but this time using all your indications.

Thanks to all,
Rene