Swordbilled Hummer

[Roy Priest]

When we first got to Guango I was excited to see Sword-billed hummingbirds so I took my 60mm macro on a hunt and found some targets. Just experimenting but I like this one. Taken on a trip with Nate Chappell.
Nikon D700, ISO 100, -1/3 ev, 60mm at F/3.2, 1/60, handheld

[Marina Scarr]

I am in awe of this capture, Roy. First of all, I am shocked by the fact that you photographed this with a 60mm, and I am confident that many of us would be interested to learn more about how you pulled that off. The details you have in the head, feathers and beak are absolutely out of this world. I love the transparency of the wings and your lovely BG. I would be pretty thrilled with capture. May we assume this was a multiple-flash setup?

[Roy Priest]

Marina, thanks for the comments. No flash involved. I just parked myself by a feeder and waited. I did crop it so the feeder isn't showing.

[PhilCook]

My bottom jaw just hit my desk .........enviable image to say the least, and sharp where it needs be especially at 1/60

[dankearl]

Unreal. I don't know which is more amazing, the 60mm distance or the beak on this guy.
Very cool photo.

[Arno Ellmer]

Awesome capture ,Roy.Lots of amazing things in this shot : 1/60 and such detail in the head ,the amazing beak ,the great bg.
Wing blur quite extraordinary. Would never have thought to try a macro on this one.

[Satish Ranadive]

Very sweet image.Loved the great detail on bird, sword bill and lovely BG.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

No words at all !! 1/60 @ 60mm ...Need to delve back on why I did purchase the 600 !!!!

[christopher galeski]

magic image Roy,its all been said,well done.

[Frank Schauf]

A great dynamic situation, congratulations.

[Sarah Jessup]

I agree with everyone that this image is wonderful - sharp, great head angle, beautiful background. I have a couple of questions: no flash was mentioned, so am I correct in assuming none was used? And, ISO 100 is below the base ISO for the D700. Do you use this often? I may not have realized how good the results could be.
Sarah

[Roy Priest]

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

[Roy Priest]

I agree with everyone that this image is wonderful - sharp, great head angle, beautiful background. I have a couple of questions: no flash was mentioned, so am I correct in assuming none was used? And, ISO 100 is below the base ISO for the D700. Do you use this often? I may not have realized how good the results could be.
Sarah

Sarah, no flash was used. I will post a shot where I did use the onboard flash. OOOPS, I mis-typed the ISO it should read 1000 not 100. Sorry for the error. I will edit the post

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent love that long beak! sharp in the head. The wing blur is nice but I wish the rest of the body was sharp too but given no flash was used it is still a great shot

[Peter Seidel]

Fantastic. I too would not have imagined such an image using a 60mm. That's an amazing hummingbird. With that size beak, just getting the framing to look right must be quite a challenge. Then again, with that size beak, does it tend to move a bit slower/hover longer than other hummingbirds you've seen?

Pete

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow, amazing. I like this alot, and I also like the subdued lighting. My only wish is for the wing to be on an upstroke rather than down (so it didn't blur in front of the body)...but man this is quite memorable! Way to think outside the box gear-wise!