It's not tag...it's more like a fight to the death...lol. Ruby-thorated Hummingbird in flight.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in flight.

Male Hummingbird feeding on Salvia.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson.

Explore 11/30/12.

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Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird flying in the garden. Explored 07/24/2011

Continuing to test settings on the A1ii

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A hummingbird ventures into the unknown....

View On Black

Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Salvia guaratica illuminated by the morning sun. I am going to miss sitting in the morning sun and watching scenes like this. I'm already looking forward to next year...

Anna's hummingbird (male) near feeder.

More experimentation with my lighting setup. Caught this little fellow as he was about to turn away after feeding. A bit of a different look...

Strobist Info: Canon 540EZ at 1/2 in mini-softbox from approximately 12" above subject. Canon 540EZ at 1/2 through one layer of facial tissue (in order to nock it down a stop or so) from approximately 60" below subject. Phottix Strato II wireless triggers. Background (black paper) lit by ambient with additional vignette added in post.

My other hummingbird photos can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/92747424@N05/albums/72157643388058603

Not the best hummingbird I have ever captured, but not terrible.

I caught this male Rufous Hummingbird with his feet extended just ready to touch down on the edge of the feeder. The feet are usually held tight to the body and not obvious like this when they are in flight.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird ready for breakfast.

Merry Christmas!

Female Anna's hummingbirds at salvia flowers.

Experimenting with some ambient light setups. Sunlight from high above-left. White foamcore reflectors below and to camera right.

My other hummingbird photos can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/92747424@N05/albums/72157643388058603

Ruby Throated Hummingbird flying in the garden. Explored.

A little Photoshop fun. Ruby Throated Hummingbird streaking past.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on Salvia.

The hummingbird acitvity remains fast and furious! Rufous have laid claim to all the feeders in my yard at this point. This is a typical reaction when another hummingbird tries to come into feed. The fanning of the tail makes these wee ones appear larger and more intimidating to their challenger. It is accompanied by a high pitched chatter, also meant I'm sure to intimidate and let the intruder know that the territory is already claimed.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on Salvia guaratica. Explored.

This hummingbird seems to be scanning the gardens for more flowers to visit for nectar as it needs to build up its fat reserves for the journey south.

Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird losing a little nectar as she departs the flower.

Pentax DA* 300mm F4 with Pentax MZ-S with Expired Kodak ColorPlus 200

Ruby-throated Hummingbird caught in a downpour. Explored.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird flying near Lantana flowers.

Rufous or Allen's hummingbird (female or juvenile) near feeder. [4-1521]

Strobist Info: SB-800 at 1/8 through umbrella from camera right. SB-700 at 1/32 onto background (garden foliage). Phottix Strato II wireless triggers.

Juvenile male Ruby Throated Hummingbird landing on a Salvia plant.

Rufous or Allen's hummingbird (female or juvenile) near feeder. Possibly a rufous, based on the width of the outer tail feathers, although no notch is visible on the R2 feather. [4-2006]

Strobist Info: SB-800 at 1/16 through umbrella from camera right. Snooted SB-700 at 1/16 from camera left. Canon 540EZ at 1/16 onto background (garden foliage). Phottix Strato II wireless triggers on SB-700 and 540EZ with sync cord from trigger to SB-800.

A happy Ruby-throated Hummingbird flying in the garden jewels. 271 Hummingbird images processed and posted for 2014. 2755 Hummingbird images to go...

First Hummingbird post of the 2013 season. This looks like a good shot to start with. Taken 05/24/2013.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird feeding on Lantana flowers. Explored.

Male Hummingbird in flight. Explored.

Male Ruby -throated Hummingbird flying in the garden.

Male Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna) in flight at lavender laceless (Lavandula pinnate) flower. Conejo Valley (Los Angeles County, CA).

I have observed hummingbirds occasionally stopping by the lavender in my garden, so I placed this flower near one of the feeders that they have been frequenting, composed my shot, and waited.

Strobist Info: SB-800 at 1/2 in a shoot-through umbrella from directly above subject. Aluminum foil reflector directly below subject. Phottix Strato II wireless trigger. Background (garden foliage) lit by ambient.

My other hummingbird photos can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/92747424@N05/sets/72157643388058603

Ruby Throated Hummingbird flying in the garden. Explored.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on Salvia.

Anna's hummingbird (female or juvenile) near feeder. [4-1830]

Strobist Info: SB-800 and SB-700 (ganged) at 1/16 through umbrella from camera left. Canon 540EZ at 1/16 onto background (garden foliage). Phottix Strato II wireless triggers.

Strobist:

2 SB800's bare, left and right about 45 degrees and < 20" away, 1/16th power.

1 B800 bare, on the bush in the background, 1/8th power.

All triggered by Cybersync transmitter and receivers.

Juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbird backing away from an approching Honey Bee. Explored.

Anna's hummingbird (female or juvenile) at salvia flower. [4-4337]

Strobist Info: Canon 540EZ at 1/16 in mini softbox from camera left. SB-800 at 1/8 through umbrella from near camera right. Background lit by ambient.

The wing blur results from the ambient exposure.

My other hummingbird photos can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/92747424@N05/albums/72157643388058603

Rufous or Allen's hummingbird (female or juvenile) near feeder. Possibly a rufous, based on the width of the outer tail feathers, although no notch is visible on the R2 feather. [4-2931]

Strobist Info: SB-800 and SB-700 (ganged) at 1/16 through umbrella from camera left. Bare Canon 540EZ at 1/64 from below camera right. Phottix Strato II wireless trigger on SB-700 with sync cords from trigger to SB-800 and 540EZ. Background is the shaded interior of a cardboard box.

My other hummingbird photos can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/92747424@N05/albums/72157643388058603

Ruby-thraoted Hummingbird flying near a hanging basket of flowers.

Anna's hummingbird (male) near feeder. [4-1978]

Strobist Info: SB-800 at 1/16 through umbrella from camera right. Snooted SB-700 at 1/16 from camera left. Phottix Strato II wireless trigger on SB-700 with sync cord from trigger to SB-800. Background (garden foliage) lit by ambient.

Monterey County, California