Wow, Dave! Another excellent photo. I love the little water droplets on his head. Sweet! It's hard to get a male from the correct angle so that his ruby throat shows. You've managed it wonderfully.

I have a feeder very close to the dining room window, but the natural lighting, as viewed from inside the house, is never at the correct angle to show my visiting male's throat to full advantage. At best, I may catch a glimmer of red on a few feathers. I could use a flash, but I'm certain it would blind and startle him, and I don't want to do this.

If I were very patient, (and I am!) I could sit outside at a better angle to the sun, and acquaint him to my presence. Gradually, I could move closer and closer to the feeder, and stay extremely still. I don't have a telephoto, so I'd really have to get close. Given enough time and care, I'm sure it would be possible to take close up photos.

I guess an alternative would be to set the camera up outside, on a tripod, and rig it to a cable release. I still might have to start off far away, and move it gradually closer, as I think the birds would be wary of such a strange contraption. Focus could be tricky, too, as the feeder does sway some on windy days.

I suppose the best solution is to get a telephoto, but I'd want a good one and I just don't have the money.

What size lens did you use? Your picture is outstanding!

Hi Bomber

I have two Canon EOS 1D Mark II's that I keep ready to grab.
You'd probably never guess, but for this shot I was using the Canon 500mm f/4L with a 1.4x teleconverter, giving me 700mm at f/5.6. As I said, I boosted the ISO to 3200 hoping to get the shutter speed as high as possible, just in case I had the opportunity to get an in flight shot. My other camera had the 300mm f/2.8 attached and similar settings, but for some reason, those shots seemed softer.

Thanks for your comment.

Dave

I should have included this image in the post immediately above. The camera, lens and settings were the same as the first one, except for a shutter speed of 1/400 sec.

Dave

{{gwi:988032}}

In some ways, I like the second photo even better. The composition is lovely, with the off-center bird, and the water droplet underneath the twig as a quiet counterbalance. It's nice not to see the sawed off end of the twig. It looks more natural than the first picture. The detail and soft, gray day lighting is nice on both.

You said your shutter speed was 1/400 sec on the second picture, but you didn't say what it was on the first one. I'm not sure it really makes much difference, just wondering since you chose to mention it.

Hi Kristin.

In the post immediately above yours I had provided the camera settings for the first picture, in response to a quiery. The first one was 1/500.

I agree this one is in many ways more interesting. I left the water droplet to emphasize why he is so ruffled, and it does balance things. I guess I get caught up in the challenge of trying to get the ruby throat, without blowing the red highlights and too often, shots like this get thrown away.

Thanks very much for your comments.

Dave