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SandyP


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Animals In Motion (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM
Location: My house
Date: Apr 24, 2009
Aperture: 6.3
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/400
Galleries: Birds
Date Uploaded: Apr 24, 2009

 We had a holiday today, the day I took this photo. Fiesta, which is San Antonio's version of Mardis Gras was going on all week. It culminated in a big parade that gives most of San Antonio the day off. Rather than fight the crowds to participate in the mayhem, I woke up early, sat on my deck with a cup of fru-fru coffee and enjoyed the hummingbirds flitting about me on a glorious spring day.

Jeeeez, those suckers are hard to catch! If you've never tried to capture a hummingbird, it is something else. Manual focus since they move so fast an auto focuser could never "find" the tiny little focal points before they flitted off. A long lens (heavy I might add), and more patience than I EVER thought I could muster up. By the time, I'd captured about 5,000 blurry little blobs (that's IF I was even able to catch one while it was still on my picture) and my arm about fallen off, I was able to get a few that were okay. My favorite ones are the ones that show their teeeny tiny little feet.

Anyway. ..prob'ly more information than you needed, but I'm thankful for this little fellow for at least giving me a challenge-worthy entry :) I have missed being in the challenges.

Statistics
Place: 12 out of 143
Avg (all users): 6.7459
Avg (commenters): 7.8889
Avg (participants): 6.5286
Avg (non-participants): 6.8783
Views since voting: 2146
Views during voting: 383
Votes: 185
Comments: 32
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 05/29/2009 11:26:10 PM
The delicateness of his little wings and that perfect tack sharp eye against that Impressionist palette bokeh is pure artistry, Sandy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/29/2009 11:05:41 PM
Did I mention that she is gorgeous? It is a female isn't it? They live in your neck of the woods not mine. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/10/2009 06:05:16 PM
Very nice, Sandy! Great score. I like reading your comments too!
 05/05/2009 02:32:16 AM
Nice finish Sandy, That 6.7 was a tease, shoulda been in higher rankings with that kind of score.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 07:45:44 PM
I thought this might be yours!! Excellent capture Sandy..look how CLEAR he is!!! I was convinced this was a ribbon winner!!!

I am proudly one of your 10s, and the owner of 2 SandyP Hummingbirds on my family room wall!

Hugs!!!

Message edited by author 2009-05-04 19:46:18.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 06:48:42 PM
Beautiful!! they are the hardest to catch.. laffed when i read comments.. Very nice placement...I thought this one was going to ribbon..

Many, many, thanks for your kind words on my shot.. I love what u said about capturing her soul -illumination of her presence..

Who would of thunk? An ordinary dog doing ordinary things. I feel like the horse in the Kentucky Derby " Mind that bird" who came out of no where..
:)
J
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 06:36:55 PM
Sandy,
Nope, glad for the info, that means I gotta get that really big and heavy lens out, huh!
Mine just got back, I had figured you had them in jail down there and was about to call the hummer police!
Anyway this is a neat photo, and yes, I think the feet adds a lot to it!
As I said before I suppose this is a Calliope, if you can get a male he will be beautiful in color, but she is gorgeous!

Great work!

Jim
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 06:28:13 PM
Who says 13 is unlucky? Terrific shot, Sandy. Another great placing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 04:01:40 PM
Totally adorable, Sandy.

I've tried to do this. It's very difficult. Good work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 07:42:39 AM
13th is my very favorite finishing spot! Congrats on a lovely highscoring (not mid-range) shot of this little guy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 05:13:51 AM
Congrats on your high placement Sandy, excellent shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 03:57:18 AM
Sweeeet capture, Sandy! I'd say it was worth all that effort, but... well, I hope you think it was - that's what matters. :-) Congrats on a great finish!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 03:28:51 AM
What a beautiful image, love the tucked in legs. Excellent work, Sandy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 02:37:21 AM
Congratulations Sandy on a strong finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 01:31:00 AM
man this is the cutest little bird i ever saw ..
those little tucked in legs are such a sight .. makes me just want to say awwwwwwww out loud .. how embarrassing .!!!. lol
sandy .. this is the most excellent shot .. i cant imagine how difficult it would be to photograph one of these little fellows .. i've never actually seen one, but i believe they are very small and very very very quick ..
i particularly love the way the bird is so sharp and the background a blur .. takes great skill to get a shot like this .. WOW .. !!..:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 01:24:29 AM
Ohhhh...I voted this one a 9, Sandy! Well done! Wow...I think even Mick would be envious of this fabulous capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 01:21:23 AM
Super shot Sandy!!! This is a great capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 12:42:03 AM
I love this one Sandy...pity the field for this challenge was so, so strong...you're awesome
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2009 12:08:41 AM
I gave this an 8. I know I could never catch something like this. Great job and congrats on the high score too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/01/2009 03:45:20 AM
superb!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2009 04:11:09 PM
Lovely capture, though feels a touch soft. Gorgeous bokeh.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2009 05:42:58 AM
A lovely soft image, with a very pleasing muted colour palette. i might have liked just a little more texture on the plumage on the front of the humming bird.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2009 09:06:22 PM
Very beautiful/serene. Nice pic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2009 08:34:55 AM
Ribbon contender!!
Well done..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2009 03:45:18 AM
Lovely!! Wonderful bokeh - just perfect to show off this little guy. Nicely balanced uncomplicated composition, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2009 11:59:13 AM
Not quite to the same level of expertise as some of the other avian images in this challenge, a difficult lighting situation leading to rather flat and dull coloring is the major issue along with a very slightly over done sharpening. A good effort that might have been improved with a little more patience waiting for a different angle and lighting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2009 01:34:16 AM
Great bokeh and nice capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2009 12:18:18 AM
Gotta love the bokeh!!! I love this! Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2009 08:41:59 PM
great focus adn details, good separation from the background
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2009 03:43:04 PM
Very good and rare moment. Love it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2009 02:44:36 PM
Beautiful and such great clarity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2009 01:29:34 PM
Exquisite----surely a ribbon :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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