I have spent the past several weeks trying to capture a rufous hummingbird in flight and in focus! I have 2 hummingbird feeders and have 1 to 2 rufous hummers dashing around them like speeding bullets. I try early in the morning just as the sun is rising to avoid the harsh light of day. But sometimes that rising sun is also very bright.
Canon 7d, Canon 300 f/4 L IS, 1/1600, f6.3, ISO 400
It sounds like a good project, Nancy, and one that requires patience. Here, since you are working against the sky and you don't have to worry about BG elements, I'd stop a bit more to try and get more DOF in the body. Increasing the ISO will allow you enough s/s to freeze at least the body. It will take a flash set-up to freeze the wings.
Other than that, a bit off the attrition may help.
Will be looking forward to more from your project!
Be good.
Nice angle to the subject. SH with a good exposure. Sweet look at the gorget. Following up on Fabs line of thought going for the eyes sharp with the wings blurred can be effective with hummers in natural light.
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