Flash of Red by darylo

Flash of Red

This male hummingbird is fighting off two others today to rule the feeder. He's very comfortable coming up to me--and I was able to stand close to the feeder while he would visit and then take off to chase off the others, but he would return over and over again. All manual focus--which is hard, but my camera cannot focus well enough with the movement of these birds, so clearly, I was going for the red. It's amazing how no light or a turn of the head renders this amazing flash of color into a black neck. Fascinating creatures. I never bore of trying to capture them.

Oh, and I'm working my camera and lens beyond their abilities to get these. I need advice on what lens I should buy if I keep my Rebel T2i. I find that I cannot fire fast enough (my exif will show I am at the highest ISO with a 2,000 shutter and the lowest aperature). LOTS of grain that I edit out with LR5, but that glassy look comes on if I use too much luminance smoothing. I use the graduated filter to take out background noise then I use radial filters on the in focus part. I used some vignetting to hide the noise also. It's too much editing! Granted, it is LOW LIGHT today, but I have to find the next great combo for distance and working with the next level up camera. I'm not convinced I need to go full frame, so if any Canon users have advice, I'd love it. I have a great sigma fixed lens, but my zoom is really a kit 75-300. I want more power now. I'm ready.
I adore these gorgeous creatures. They fascinate me, too. Love the metallic red of your hummer.
September 4th, 2014  
Wow... love how dark he is and how the colour pops agains the black background!
September 4th, 2014  
Great low key for this little bird and good to see the focus still!
September 4th, 2014  
Stunning!
September 4th, 2014  
Awesom! I saw the triptych first but this has fabulous close up detail!
September 4th, 2014  
Superb
September 4th, 2014  
Another FAV
September 4th, 2014  
Awesome against the black background - Fav.
September 4th, 2014  
Brilliant shot. Fav.
September 4th, 2014  
So beautiful!
September 4th, 2014  
How am I not following you? No wonder I was missing photos. I know I used to follow you and didn't know it had clicked off. This is really spectacular and an instant fav. The negative space frames the bird SO well, and the bird itself in its position is fascinating.
September 4th, 2014  
Fabulous shot - especially considering the equipment. I know how that is. I have the t3i, and can never get a goxod pic with high iso. Can't believe you were able to!
September 5th, 2014  
@taffy Oh, never worry. I'm not a good follower AT ALL or a good "friend" so I do not expect anyone to follow or anything because really, I should not have done a second year with the lack of participation I have done. But thank you. I know where to find you...:)
September 5th, 2014  
Wow that throat is stunning against the dark. Fav
September 5th, 2014  
Super shot!
September 5th, 2014  
Vee
Love that ruby throat! I don't know if this qualifies as advice but here goes....my main camera is full frame (5DM2) and I'm very happy with it. I like the full frame for wide angle landscape shots. But since I'm primarily shooting birds, I don't think the full frame is absolutely necessary. I've done some bird shooting with my back-up camera, Canon Rebel T1i, and with good light, it does a fine job but it's wearing out and has definite limitations in terms of ISO and shutter speed. I'm actually considering getting a 70D as it will take all my good zoom lenses and with the cropped sensor, it's almost like I get more reach. Good luck :)
September 5th, 2014  
Beautiful! fav
September 5th, 2014  
@vskolnik Thanks Vee! I've been eyeing the 70D. While I would love a full-framed camera, I think my affinity for all things moving or abstracts, a really good cropped sensor may be my way. But I need something that can really take a good piece of glass and fire quickly and better in the high ISO range. Not that every shot has to be a bird, but if I do sport photography, I just don't see taking a full framed camera with my aging and shaky arms! ;) Do you have a suggestion for a good zoom lens by any chance?
September 6th, 2014  
Vee
Daryl, I use the Canon IS LS 70-300mm and the Canon IS LS 100-400mm...if you plan to use a tripod, though, Image Stabilization won't matter. If I had unlimited funds, I would get the Canon IS LS 400mm prime :)
September 6th, 2014  
great shot. fav.
I have yet to see one of these beauties!! I need a feeder!
September 7th, 2014  
@vskolnik Thanks again!!!
September 7th, 2014  
stunning shot
September 7th, 2014  
Fabulous shot... and the discussion above is very informational (for those of us who are learning). Excellent.
September 7th, 2014  
Stunning image!
September 7th, 2014  
@rosiekerr I have learned so much from what others have told me. Feel free to ask questions and seek out advice. This is the best place for it! :)
September 8th, 2014  
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