Costa's Hummingbird returned today

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks;

Costa's Hummingbirds returned this morning along with 49F low which had been at freezing or below for the last week. Love the change.

Comments always welcome and appreciated. TIA :)

Gus

Had great morning light coming over the high peaks to the East, and never needed flash.

Olympus E-3, Zuiko ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD, @ 400 mm equiv.

AP: F/6.3, 1/500s, ISO 200, -0.70eV, CWA, sRGB, AWB
In cameras settings: Natural Light, Sharpness -1, Contrast -1

[Cheryl Flory]

wow, what a great image! really like the pose, the slight blur to the wing tips, blurred background, and the wonderful neck color.

Why do you have your camera set for -1 for contrast and sharpness?

The white neck feathers look a little coarse on my monitor.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Gus,
beautiful colors, amazing details around the head but agree that the whites are very hot. excellent sharpness.

[nancy hazen]

Gus, beautifully captured. I think the Costa males are one of the hardest to shoot, but well worth the effort.
I think you did a fantastic job on the sharpness, pose and wings. The only thing I would do is bring down the highlights on the head a little. I don't know if that is possible due to the reflectiveness of the purple gorget.
So many times I've just gotten black there or totally blown out purple I love this one.
Nancy

[pat lillich]

Gus - he is just amazing. The rest of his body looks so much like the Anna's hummingbird - but that purple gorget is incredible. I really like the pose and background on this one too - wonderful photo!

[Julie Kenward]

I don't believe the whites are hot - I think his flash is hot! I'd tone down the purple area just a bit so the flash isn't so evident. Nice action image, Gus! Wish we had a little more wing on the left but you're still doing some amazing stuff here!

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks;

Thanks for looking, and your comments'

Jules, didn't use a flash, just early morning light. Finally posted one in Avian.

Took some with flash at about sunset last night & hope to post one here.

Keep smiling

Gus