Anna's Hummingbird (seated...)

[Diane Miller]

From our dining room window I could see this guy using this perch often, so I set up camera and flashes and waited. No need to use a hide for these guys -- they're fearless. I made elbow rests to fit on the tripod and set the camera up at the height that I can sit on a comfortable barstool. A remote trigger on 3 flashes (which they don't seem to mind at all) and it's just a matter of waiting for a good pose.

It looks like a high angle but the perch was only a few inches above the camera. The bird looking up adds to the impression.

Canon 5D3, 300mm f/2.8 IS, ISO 400, f/16, 1/160 to sync with the lag in the MicroSync flash trigger, but the flash SS was about 1/8000. I don't need that much when they're seated but direct sun is too harsh -- easier to control light with camera and flash all in M.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image. Very nice use of flash. I like the pose,his grip on nice appropriate and hanging perch, beautiful colors and superb sharpness.

Regards,
Satish.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautiful image I would not have known you had used flash - well done.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Superb image, excellent technique!

[Chris Kotze]

Super sharpness and pose

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Great job executing and accomplishing the goal. I love the curvy perch.pose and great detail. I think I would like more room to the right to off center the bird a tad more

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Diane, well planned and captured, and I do like how the perch meanders through the frame. Good use of the multiple flash. Comp wise, Im finding the crop too squarish, but thats just a personal thing, and although this screams vertical to me, it would be a shame to lose some of the curvy perch.

[jack williamson]

I like all of this, great flash and detail, love the perch.

Jack

[Daniel Cadieux]

The flashwork is impeccable, great work! You have yourself a special perch too. The crop is rather tight for my tastes...do you have more room top and right? Sounds like it was a fun session

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, everyone! Alas, no more room at the top, but I might be able to find that piece in the tangle of new growth, and transplant it.

[gail bisson]

This is very nice.
I love the scalloped feathers on the throat that are so crisp and detailed without being too sharp.
The best part of this image is that cool perch.
I would add a bit on top as I am sure you have the PP skills to create more branch.
Excellent flash work. If you hadn't said you had used it, I would not have known,
Gail

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, Gail!

Just for you and Daniel, I could manufacture more perch. Cheryl, I do have more to the right, I think. Consider it done, as soon as I get home. (Theme of this road trip, which was aimed at star photography from 11,000 ft, is going to be clouds and washed-out roads. May be home early. But I think I got a few things I wasn't planning on. Will post a few when I can look at them on a real computer.