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Thread: Leucistic Hummingbird

  1. #1
    BPN Member Kirk Benson's Avatar
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    Default Leucistic Hummingbird

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    While out in my backyard Saturday afternoon, I saw this flash of white go by to my left, but as I turned to identify what it could be, it was gone. But I knew it was something unusual that I hadn't seen before. So I grabbed my camera and hoped whatever it was would return.


    It did.


    Having never seen a white Hummingbird, a quick google search seems to indicate that it is leucistic... there are albino Hummers, but they have pink eyes and feet, which this one does not seem to have from what I can tell. I don't know what species it is, and I'm hoping someone here can help with the ID... Anna's perhaps? I live in Yorba Linda, Orange County, Southern California.


    The IQ is not good as it's a pretty heavy crop in late afternoon shade (I was so afraid of scaring it away I gave it plenty of room), but I was thrilled to be able to document this rare visitor and thought it might be of interest to the forum.

    It actually returned on Sunday and spent a few minutes bathing in our backyard rock fountain. Here is a link to those images if you're interested: http://www.pbase.com/kirkbenson/leucistic_hummingbird (I hope it's okay to add the link)

    D800 | Nikon 500 f/4 AF-S D ~ 500mm 1/1250s f/4 ISO 1400 Handheld

    Kirk
    Kirk Benson
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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    How cool is that Kirk! What a great find and a great photo of this rarity to boot. Even though it is a moderate crop and in the shade it still is a good capture of something we all would love to se in the wild. Well done.
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    2nd. the how cool, Kirk. Very nice IQ and great looking Hummingbird. Flowers and BG work beautifully. Interesting information and story regarding this rare find.




    Geoffrey

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Kirk, very well done with your quick thinking, and big congrats on capturing this rare find. Great hovering pose, well placed in the frame, and Im fine with the IQ for as you say a large crop. Have you tried some additional selective sharpening?

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    What a great bird! The cool factor of the sighting eliminates any nits I would have about the image itself. Well captured. Do you mind if I post this to an online Bird ID forum? They would love this. I will link back to this thread.

    TFS
    Walker

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    BPN Member Kirk Benson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walker Noe View Post
    What a great bird! The cool factor of the sighting eliminates any nits I would have about the image itself. Well captured. Do you mind if I post this to an online Bird ID forum? They would love this. I will link back to this thread.

    TFS
    Walker
    Thanks everyone, so glad you enjoyed seeing this guy. I feel so privileged just to have seen it and getting some decent pics of it. It has since been around for three days in a row now, so I'm hoping it will stay around for a good while.

    Thanks for checking this out Walker, most appreciated.

    Yes, please post this to the online Bird ID forum, thank you. Which forum is it? Thanks again!
    Last edited by Kirk Benson; 02-24-2015 at 08:25 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kirk Benson View Post
    Thanks for checking this out Walker, most appreciated.

    Yes, please post this to the online Bird ID forum, thank you. Which forum is it? Thanks again!
    You're welcome! I had a hybrid hummer in my yard and the folks at this forum were helpful with their insights on ID. The forum is Whatbird.com/forum/.

    The post can be found at:
    http://www.whatbird.com/forum/index....c-hummingbird/

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    What a great find! I like the feeding pose and flower. The big crop held up well, but yes to a bit more sharpening for web presentation. You could also clone out the extra bit of leaf peeking in at right edge. Thanks for sharing this unique little individual!

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