The first tip only works if you get hummingbirds in your area. Put out feeders before the hummingbirds migrate into your area. We had up to ten feeders out at one time and had to re-fill them twice a day. The more hummingbirds you have, the better your chances of getting the shots you want.
Two: Let the hummingbirds get used to you. The more time you spend close to their feeders, the less danger they will consider you to be. Most of my close-ups were taken within a few feet, with camera mounted on a tripod. A brimmed hat assured they could not see my eyes and the slightest movement of my lens would scare them off. Most of them would get used to the click from the camera as long as they could not see any movement.
Three: Hummingbirds like to bathe. Just provide some flowing water and a surface where they can sit in 1/4" to 1/2" of water. Place where there is no danger from cats and a bush or tree branch above gives them extra security.
That's just sick!
I put out feeders in April and have at least 2 hummers that come to my feeders....a couple times a day....you have more in one photo than I get all summer....but OTOH I have more cidadas than you do
Eric
Amazing to see so many at one time , on one feed and not fighting ! Nice shot Tony.
In our area, a local hummingbird bander told me to leave the feeders up all year. Our winters are very mild and unbeknownst to most , we get some in the winter. I have never seen that many at one time .
eyelaser wrote:
That's just sick!
I put out feeders in April and have at least 2 hummers that come to my feeders....a couple times a day....you have more in one photo than I get all summer....but OTOH I have more cidadas than you do
Eric
birdied wrote:
Amazing to see so many at one time , on one feed and not fighting ! Nice shot Tony.
In our area, a local hummingbird bander told me to leave the feeders up all year. Our winters are very mild and unbeknownst to most , we get some in the winter. I have never seen that many at one time .
Birdie
Thanks, Birdie. 99% of the hummers we get here are Rufous, and all of them migrate back south in July, August at the latest. The other 1% are Anna's and many of them will winter this far north. I leave out one feeder for them.
KCollett wrote:
Thanks Tony! My hummer shots have all been taken while on VAC to BC or down to the US. Any suggestions for we mobile folks, other than be patient?
Thanks, Ken. Simply make a visit to Vancouver Island.
Beautiful shots (as usual), Tony, but what makes this post special is your advice. The detail and diversity of all your images speaks to a wealth of knowledge about biology as well as photography, and it's wonderful to see you share some of that knowledge.
Tony, I love seeing your hummingbird photos. What great suggestions too. Your fountain has been such an inspiration. I made a similar one for our yard and for a friend who is retiring this year. Thank you for all you do to help us not only get better shots of these great flyers, but to find ways to attract them.
Nancy
It would be nice to see just one, I haven't seen one around here in at least 10 years. Great images though nonetheless. The only thing closely resembling those around here are Carpenter bees !
Jun 02, 2013 at 02:06 PM
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