Hummingbirds Can't Walk - Tales of Flight

Been asked by other photographers about my set up.  I’m afraid to say that it’s frighteningly simple compared to others who shoot hummingbirds.  Typically, 4, 5 or more powerful flashes are used and lenses ranging from 300mm-600mm are implemented.  Cameras used vary.  Most photographers use artificial backgrounds that are either printed or, if they’re really artistic, painted.

For my purposes I use the following: A good, sturdy tripod, one or two powerful flashes depending on the shot, a good sports/photojournalism camera that offers high frames per second and good high ISO performance and 135mm & 300mm lens with and without a teleconverter.  All of my backgrounds are real nature; mostly trees in the distance with some flowers and plants.

For you gear heads, here are the specifics:

(All Canon)

• 1DmkIII
• 2x 580exII
• 135mm f/2 L
• 300mm f/4 IS L
• 1.4xTC III

The image stabilized Canon 300mm f/4 IS L

There’s no magic.  The composition for the shot is created, then I wait for the hummingbird to arrive to complete the picture.  Getting the bird to cooperate is another matter.

Wow.  Tough day at the feeder.  Still, I have to laugh at myself.  How tough can a day of photographing hummingbirds be? :-)

Photographing hummingbirds, more precisely training a hummingbird, is work that thrives on hope; endless amounts of hope.  Today tested my limits, though I survived intact.  Leatherneck is proving to be as determined and tough as his namesakes.

His approach to the feeder is aggressive and so is his approach to me at times.  He actually startled me today by pulling a buzz-stop* when I wasn’t looking.  He’s allowing me to take series of photos now - as many as 40 at a pop - but he hides his face.  He, like Ole Square Head, dives in and dives out of the flower, leaving no opportunity to get a decent shot.

Must admit I had some opportunities with Leatherneck today, but circumstances conspired against me.  Many things can ruin a photo, especially when I’m looking for that special shot, and today those things happened.  No worries, I know from experience some days are like that.  I also have to keep in mind that we worked on a tough flower today (Iris) and, to Leatherneck’s credit, he was a trooper.

Today’s numbers read like this: 7 1/2 hours behind the camera with all types of lighting, weather and wind, nearly 800 shots, I kept 5 and none would I put in my portfolio.  But because you’ve read this far, here’s my favorite from today:

Leatherneck with his head buried in his work.

Phoenix made a few appearances, but no usable photos.  I’m glad he’s still around, but my hopes for a long-term working relationship with him are all but gone…

* - a name I gave to when a hummingbird dives fast toward me, pulls up just short, flashes his (red) gorget feathers and creates a loud, sharp buzz.

?Questions?

Resignation.  Leatherneck is here to stay; at least until he is unseated and then it will most likely be more of the same.  I saw Phoenix once or twice today but he is being harassed too much for me to work with him.  Nature can be a bitch goddess.

Managed to get a new shot in spite of Leatherneck’s predilection for diving into the flower, feeding at an angle that hides most of his face, and diving out.  He’s less afraid of the equipment, though he’s not yet relaxed and it shows in nearly every image.

Leatherneck on a hot, humid day.

Took a break from shooting to go into town and visit for a few hours with friends.  We got back in time for some late afternoon/evening shooting - my favorite.  As I walked out to set up, Phoenix perched on a plant hanger next to me!  He stayed for a bit, left as I set up and returned as soon as the flower was set out.  I managed to capture him in an ~30 shot series on his next visit to the flower (I kept 2 images).  It was like Leatherneck had never happened.  Needless to say I was confused but very happy.

Phoenix makes his reappearance.

Taking time after the first series of shots to confirm what I already knew - that it was indeed Phoenix - I went back to the feeder with supercharged enthusiasm.  My enthusiasm became confusion again when Leatherneck made the next appearance to the flower.  I got few shots and none of them usable.  The next few visits would also be made by Leatherneck with identical results.

As the evening progressed, it became clear that Leatherneck was the new alpha male and Phoenix had assumed a beta role of sorts.  What this means in practical terms is that Leatherneck is now my regular feeder and Phoenix gets in there when he can. 

They are immediately distinguishable by their behavior around me and their approach to the flowers/feeder.  Phoenix seems to look to me for his cues, understanding that I am the real source of the food, while Leatherneck still sees me as a threat instead of a benevolent provider.  I will have to find a way to ease the latter’s mind.

Leatherneck.  Can he be tamed?

Phoenix is gone. It looks like he has been ousted, though I can’t be 100% sure something else didn’t happen. There was no big battle, or I would have known.

It started yesterday (Sunday) on the day I took (mostly) off from shooting. First thing in the morning I noticed a female sitting on the feeder, dining leisurely. My first words were, “Where the hell’s Phoenix?”. He would not have allowed that. Then, last evening I went out to shoot. Everything seemed off timing-wise and behaviorally. At the time, I chalked it up to the flower I was shooting not being open enough, so I packed up and called it a night.

Today, the odd behavior continued. It seemed as if my camera equipment was bothering - no, scaring - him. When I was finally able to get a clear shot of the bird in front of me it became immediately apparent that this was not Phoenix.

There is another bird vying for the feeder - and it makes me wonder if it is Phoenix - but there’s no way to tell for sure until I get a close look at him. Presently, the new bird is not allowing that.

Time to start over…

The new hummingbird.

Comments?

Today I’m waiting for a flower to finish opening.  It’s the 3rd Columbine we were given a few days ago and it’s beautiful.  Special thanks to my lovely wife for taking such good care of it and all of the flowers I bring home.  The yard is full of flowers and the inside of our house looks like a jungle. :D  Without her support I doubt I could bring you the variety I do.

So, while I’m waiting I thought I’d share a kind of “best of the rest” photos from seasons past.  

A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird from 2007.

More photos to come.  Would you like to comment?

Long day.  Awake for 26 straight hours, working most of it.  No big deal as it’s something I do at times when there’s a lot to be done (No worries, I am writing to you after a long nap ;) ).  Of course, motivation is key, and I am strongly motivated when it comes to hummingbirds.

Part of those 26 hours being awake were spent with good friends, Jay and Jen.  Jay keeps their yard in good shape while Jen is an accomplished gardener.  We stopped by to drop off some very special hibiscus seeds.  While at their place, Jen unexpectedly gave my wife and me about a dozen beautiful plants from their gardens!  There were three types of Columbine, Bleeding Hearts, Iris and many others that I’m not familiar with.  Great people, these two.

Phoenix at 6:20am with the purple Columbine we were given.

It is because of their kindness that I bring you my latest hummingbird images.  It is because of a recent tragedy (loss of a close, mutual friend) that we came together.  It is my most sincere hope that this friendship, a gift from the dead, will blossom and flourish like Jen’s flowers.

So it seems that Phoenix has grudgingly overcome his fear of me (and my dog for that matter, which I find unusual).  He has perched on me (and a friend) and routinely “checks me out” from inches away.  He’s not afraid to feed when I am setting up and near the feeder or a flower I’ve got him going to.

Still, i can’t get over the idea that he is so different behaviorally from Green Light.  It’s not night and day - they are both hummingbirds and do hummingbird things - but in terms of their approach to me and how their minds work they are dissimilar.  Green Light, who I suspect was up here last year*, was an affable bird and a “pleaser” if you can imagine that.  He would approach the deck on which I shoot without fear.  Phoenix is cautious in everything he does, even when it comes to perching on me.  Green Light was merely a defender of his territory, while Phoenix is a conqueror.  Green Light was reliable and easy to work with, while Phoenix is stubborn and comparatively wild.  Surprisingly, I find Phoenix the better bird to create images with because of his “work ethic” if you will.  He is like clockwork regarding his feeding intervals.  And his determination, which seems endless, is something I use to my benefit.  As a result, he is capable of doing the tougher flowers, like the ones hummingbirds don’t normally feed on.  But he is a challenge.

Phoenix on his 5th or 6th trip to the same flowers.  This stubbornness is what allows me to eventually get the shot I’m looking for.

* - Evidence suggests that hummingbirds return to their same territories yearly.  My experience, especially after I saw that Green Light already knew everything I was trying to teach him, is that they do.

Today was dedicated to research and printing. It was a much needed break from behind the camera, although I did spend a couple of hours shooting my favorite subject before leaving for work.  The prints came out great; two 20”x30” and I can’t wait til they’re framed and hung in a show.  For the technically minded, I used Canson Infinity Rag Photographique 310gsm and printed on a Canon iPF8300 using a custom ICC profile.  For those who are not technically minded, I printed on a smooth, thick, fine art water color paper using a color managed, state of the art printer.

One of the images hanging at Berkshire Museum.

The research that is done is related to print permanence regarding modern ink jet prints, or giclees.  If anyone is interested (rarefied subject matter, I know), here is the link:
Aardenburg Imaging & Archives

I have been very fortunate to be an apprentice at Aardenburg, as the trade off is my labor for a fantastic education in print making; something for which there is no comprehensive formal schooling.  Up until last year when I joined Aardenburg, I was woefully ignorant of what it takes to make a fine art print.  Now, with my mentor’s assistance, I am producing museum quality work in both aesthetics and longevity (Indeed, I currently have two framed 12”x18” hummingbird prints hanging in the Berkshire Museum as I write.).  Can’t wait til they see the new ones.

Saw my first female of the year, though no chance to get a shot.  Phoenix kept her from the feeder, so she just sat on the deck rail while he did an impressive courtship flight.  I wonder if it moved her.  I know I was impressed.  I’ve seen courtship flights before, but Phoenix was very sharp in his presentation.  Good for him.  Maybe it will pay off.

Phoenix in the rain.

As for me, I’m totally exhausted.  Two days behind the camera from sun up to sun down and two nights doing nothing but thinking “hummingbirds”, staring critically at about 1,000 images looking for the right one, then processing, posting and blogging.  Tomorrow I go to my apprenticeship, helping a scientist with his research in return for an education in the fine art of print making.  Good.  I need the break.  Besides, I’ll be printing a couple of my finished images.

Things seem to have stabilized around the feeder with Phoenix still as the head of his hard won territory.  There is another hummingbird that comes to the feeder, but he is good at avoiding Phoenix, who attacks him on sight.  Judging by what little I’ve seen of the other bird I have to wonder if it is Green Light; though I doubt it.  Behaviorally it could be him, but he had some damage done to the right side of his face that I doubt would have healed by now.

Phoenix in a rare pose.

I guess I miss Green Light, but I now know that I needed the challenges that Phoenix has presented to me.  He (Phoenix) has made me a better photographer and a keener observer.

The “other” hummingbird.  Could it be Green Light?