Monday, August 16, 2010

(Day 228) Hope you like orange

I made these photos early this evening just after we had watched a little hummingbird visit some phlox. My camera and telephoto lens were in the house and I was a bit disappointed I didn't capture it. I decided to stay near the trumpet vine in case he returned. Well, it wasn't the same one, but another made a quick visit for his last nectar of the evening and I got my first capture of a hummingbird. I can't say I'm totally happy with the quality of the shot, and I do intend to try again, but I thought I'd share this one. I'll need one of those blogger flower experts to help identify the flower in the first photo.

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/60 sec  ISO400)
















(70-200mm  f5.6  1/40 sec  ISO400)

24 comments:

Carolyn Ford said...

These are really pretty orange flowers. I love the vine up against the side of the house...hummingbirds are such a joy to watch and challenging to photograph. I'd say...you did a great job!

darlin said...

Whatever the first flower is, it's stunning! I love the way you captured it Rick, the orange is nice and soft, the macro is amazing and once you find out what type of flower this is please let me know. Thanks Rick.

That's fantastic you captured a hummingbird, I really want to still get a shot in of one of these magnificent birds, there's still time so maybe, just maybe I'll be able to pull it off. Have a fantastic Tuesday!

bonifer said...

Beautiful orange flower, Rick and love the Hummer, you'll be hooked now! ;)

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

beautiful capture!! these birds are not in romania :(( regards

Unknown said...

Orange & Green on a stunning depth of field :-)

Greetz,

Joseph

Rick said...

@Carolyn Ford - thank you Carolyn; you're right about hummingbirds being hard to capture - there and gone before I felt 'prepared'.

Rick said...

@darlin - thank you Darlene; I'll have to wait for someone like joey to come along and identify it - all I know is that it's a perennial that I have in orange and yellow. I hope you 'get' a hummingbird too - I'm still going to try and improve on a hummingbird shot - lots of patience required.

Wow - looks like you were burning the past-midnight oil when you left your comment ! Hope you Tuesday is going well!

marty said...

well, I go on writing in french ? It's easier for me of course !!
la photo avec l'oiseau-mouche est absolument magnifique ! je crois que je n'en ai jamais
vu ici !! et la fleur orange sur fond vert :
sublime ! à bientôt Rick - bises !!! (bise = bisou !)

becky said...

Sorry I am not a good flower identifier! I mostly just look at them & think they are beautiful, and you've captured that beauty well! Hummingbird photography is challenging, but aren't they fun to watch!?

Lisa said...

Beautiful Beautiful.. Looks like a trumpit flower but not sure. My spelling is off and that is not anything new for me.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Love the flowers and the Hummer.These little guys are not that easy to capture.Have fun trying.With your skills I know that you will get that fantastic shot.
Blessings,Ruth

Rick said...

@bonifer - thank you; I think I am hooked - I was going to put the flowers under surveillance and see if I could get another few shots today.

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thanks Costea; too bad, but you have many other beautiful creatures there !

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - thank you Joseph - it was standing out by itself with some tall vines several feet behind it.

Rick said...

@marty - mais oui ! ;-)

I can understand most of what you write and the photos help to give context; I'll look up what I don't understand - and learn a little more French in the process. :0

Those little hummers are hard to spot, they're so small.

Thank you marty, et bises :) !

imac said...

Very neat Rick, lucky you my friend.

What Karen Sees said...

Funny, I've been trying to catch a snap of a hummingbird whose been visiting my deck all day, but I'm just not quick enough. Your hummingbird is a beautiful green. Mine is plain jane brown!

Rick said...

@becky - I'm with you; I can remember the names of some, but while my memory is good, it's also short ;-)

Hummingbirds are hard to see, let alone get a good shot of - we usually hear a loud buzz and then finally spot them; you need to hang out with your camera at the ready I think.

Thanks Becky!

Rick said...

@Lisa RedWillow - you're right that the second photo shows a trumpet vine; I'm not sure what the first one is. (don't worry about your spelling - the teachers are bloggers now ;-)

Thanks Lisa!

Rick said...

@Ruth's Photo Blog - thanks for the vote of confidence Ruth ! I looked for a while today but no luck - I will keep trying though. Thanks for stopping by and your comments!

Rick said...

@imac - thank you mac; I'd like to get just a little luckier yet ;-)

Rick said...

@Karen - yes, they sure are quick - tough to get focused on him while he's flitting around. I'm hoping to get the green one properly 'in my sights' and then I'll hope to see a ruby-throated one. Good luck getting your 'plain Jane' - will still be nice if you get her though!

Julia said...

That's awesome that you caught a hummingbird! Very cool shot of both the flower and hummingbird!

Rick said...

@Julia - thanks Jules; I still want to try to improve on the shot - they're tough to capture 'cause they don't stay still or around very long.