Do Hummingbirds Fly Upside Down? [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

Don Nelson

12-31-2012, 11:17 PM

Female Rufous (note shape of R2) - imaged the weekend after Artie was here -- at a setup. The bird had just backed away from the feeder and cleared the bill -- typical behavior, note end of tounge still outside beak -- its as long as the beak -- that's the droplet falling in front. The bird is flying upside down with the head nearly pivoted around level -- no this isn't photoshop touchup....

5D3(before the 1Dx's arrived) with 400DO (per Artie's suggestion). 1/200 f18 Multiflash setup, 1/64 power multi-580EXII. Manual mode.
122781
Happy New Year to all

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David Salem

01-01-2013, 02:36 AM

Great capture Don. Remember seeing this shot a while back and it just as good as before. Awesome contorted pose and the detail is great right down to the toe nails. The ejected drop is cool too. Very well done on all accounts.

Frank Schauf

01-01-2013, 07:43 AM

Fantastic. Wonderful pose, colors and background.

Jim Crosswell

01-01-2013, 08:23 AM

I like the unique pose, sharpness, exposure, water drop and BG. Have you tried a crop with the bird higher in the frame and more space below? Still a beauty as presented.

Stu Bowie

01-01-2013, 11:13 AM

Hi Don, what a unique flying pose, and one has to look carefully to see that the head is on a level plane. Hope he didnt have neck ache after that flight. The iridescence on all these HB's always look good, no matter what mixture of colours. The hint of the tongue, and flying droplet puts this up a few notches. Well captured.

A Happy new year to you too.

annmpacheco

01-01-2013, 03:59 PM

wish I could do that! fly, or get that shot! Beautiful color, detail and sharpness, whites look great. Love the droplets. A big WOW!

dankearl

01-01-2013, 07:32 PM

Super sharp Don and the little drop is a plus!
I also think a bit higher in the frame would look look good.
Great pose on the best looking Hummingbird we get around here.