Great! Now How 'Bout a Little Smile?

cotten · #1 08-03-2018, 09:59 AM

This fine fellow showed up at my humming bird feeder despite the light rain. I could coax a sly smile, but couldn't get him to wink. I enjoy photography, but in trying to get shots like this I am very aware of the limitations of my point 'n' shoot Canon SX40 HS. With it's wide ranging zoom, 35mm equivalent of 24-840mm, it's great for travel, but not so great for capturing humming bird shots. Still, with enough patience and luck...

cotten

cotten · #2 08-03-2018, 10:02 AM

cotten · #3 08-03-2018, 10:04 AM

cotten · #4 08-03-2018, 10:05 AM

cotten · #5 08-03-2018, 10:07 AM

Kerbie · #6 08-03-2018, 10:07 AM

Fantastic... quite beautiful!

Riverwolf · #7 08-03-2018, 11:21 AM

Good pics!
Interesting, your hummers look different than mine here in Oregon.
I have two feeders like yours and refill them about every three-four days.

Nyghthawk · #8 08-03-2018, 12:01 PM

Great shots! Wow on that closeup.

The Growler · #9 08-03-2018, 10:08 PM

Well done! That's not easy with the shutter lag on point and shoots.

cotten · #10 08-06-2018, 11:32 AM

Thanks, but shutter lag is only one of several issues. The limited ability to hold focus with fast moving targets, the unwieldiness of shooting in Manual, only 12 megapixels combined with glass that isn't nearly as sharp as good DSLR prime lenses, the list goes on. Still, I was able to grab some images that were sharp enough show the finely combed texture of their tiny little feathers. My point is not that I'm a good photographer - hardly that! - but that like musical instruments, cameras are more about what you do with them than their specifications or cost.

The Growler · #11 08-06-2018, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotten

Thanks, but shutter lag is only one of several issues. The limited ability to hold focus with fast moving targets, the unwieldiness of shooting in Manual, only 12 megapixels combined with glass that isn't nearly as sharp as good DSLR prime lenses, the list goes on. Still, I was able to grab some images that were sharp enough show the finely combed texture of their tiny little feathers. My point is not that I'm a good photographer - hardly that! - but that like musical instruments, cameras are more about what you do with them than their specifications or cost.

Absolutely true, all of it. Shutter lag bugs me the most though. Well done!

KevWind · #12 08-08-2018, 11:39 AM

Gotta love those little guys, we have 4 feeders currently going with anywhere from 20 to 40 birds zooming around in the mornings and evenings

Jim Owen · #13 08-08-2018, 03:25 PM

Well done, John. I've got a few fighting around my feeder this year. Amazing creatures.

cotten · #14 08-08-2018, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevWind

Gotta love those little guys, we have 4 feeders currently going with anywhere from 20 to 40 birds zooming around in the mornings and evenings

Double WOW! I need to see a video of that!

KevWind · #15 08-09-2018, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotten

Double WOW! I need to see a video of that!

I'll see what I can do