Congratulations to AGeoJO for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 3 votes - View Previous Winners
This hummingbird was feeding gracefully but apparently didn't get enough nectar. So, it moved on to a "greener pasture".... uh, to a blooming flower for more. Somehow, this particular hummingbird didn't seem to rush into doing so as I saw a lot of hummingbirds do. It looked like it gave me the chance to capture the sequence, not in slow motion but not too fast.
I captured a lot of keepers at this place, which on a terrace of a small eating establishment over looking a valley between San Jose and the Sarapiqui region. We were on the way back to San Jose. Just FYI, the smooth green background is the other slope of the valley, which is easily 2-3 miles away. I setup my gear on a tripod on the terrace nearby the lunch table. Before, during and after lunch, I was shooting on and off for good 2 hours and not only of hummingbirds but also other birds. Convenient shooting circumstances, smooth background and plenty of wildlife; I couldn't ask for anything better...
How was the A7RII to shoot with especially with such a big lens mounted to it? Were you on tripod all the time or handheld also? I was thinking it would feel awkward to handhold with such a small body attached to the 400.
These are so wonderful, with the creamy background. Just beautiful.
~Mansur
Thank you very much, Mansur! Yes, the creamy background was the result of its position far, far away.
arbitrage wrote:
Great shots Joshua.
How was the A7RII to shoot with especially with such a big lens mounted to it? Were you on tripod all the time or handheld also? I was thinking it would feel awkward to handhold with such a small body attached to the 400.
TFS
Geoff
Thank you very much, Geoff! At my age, even during my Canon days, I didn't handhold the lens/camera . At least, I used a monopod back then. On this trip, the camera/lens was 100% on the tripod. We took a boat ride on the Sarapiqui river and I used my tripod as a monopod even then. Out of my Canon long lenses, the 400mm f/2.8 Mk II is probably the best in terms of rendition. Somehow, the sensor and the lens together is like a match made in heaven....
Always impressed by perfection of your images
As you know I'm looking for a super deal... if you plan to sell this incredible lens with a 67% discount I can take in consideration
Manuel
Ronny Olsson wrote:
You get my vote Joshua.. Just WOW !!
They are ridiculously good
Ronny //
Ronny, thank you so very much!
ManuelLaMantia wrote:
Always impressed by perfection of your images
As you know I'm looking for a super deal... if you plan to sell this incredible lens with a 67% discount I can take in consideration
Manuel
Thank you very much, Manuel! Sure, the original price of that lens was $16K . So, my asking price of $10K is an awesome deal.
. At least, I used a monopod back then. On this trip, the camera/lens was 100% on the tripod. We took a boat ride on the Sarapiqui river and I used my tripod as a monopod even then. Out of my Canon long lenses, the 400mm f/2.8 Mk II is probably the best in terms of rendition. Somehow, the sensor and the lens together is like a match made in heaven.... 
. So, my asking price of $10K is an awesome deal.
That nasty hornet takes a little off the 1st Joshua but the beauty of the comp and pose of the hummer makes it a winner!