"Have you ever observed a hummingbird moving in an aerial dance among the flowers... a living prismatic gem... it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description."
-W. H. Hudson, Green Mansions
I got extremely lucky with this shot, this birdie was not at all interested in posing for me. LOL. I was sitting in my car, at the San Leandro Marina, just enjoying the heck out of a A&W Papa burger, and watching airplanes land at the nearby, Oakland Airport, when this little guy came by. :) This was the best shot out of about 10 or so that I took. I think it came out well, the sun was in a good spot to illuminate the colors of the hummingbird very nicely. I like photographing hummingbirds, they are a challenge to be sure. I should try to get back to the marina soon, lots and lots of critters moving about, plus the added fun of the airport runway which is very close to the far edge of the marina. Planes coming in from the east are really low... yikes... but it gives me a chance to work on my slight fear of them.
I decided to take an online class that was offered to me by the Disney Family Learning Center. It will focus on portrait photography. It is a very basic course, but every little bit helps. I am still considering taking a class in digital photography at Chabot College. They are offering the classes every quarter, it's just been a matter of getting my energy level back up and running to a high enough level to take on a class. Working on that this weekend, as I am using my time to get the last touches of the garden put into place.
I placed the roses and the others planters of cosmos, stock, butterfly flowers, poppies, and four-o-clocks where I want them. Alan helped me plant the assorted sunflowers against the back of the fence, so all that is left is to put a couple windsocks up, and it will pretty much be done. Now it's all up to the flowers to make their appearance before the end of the summer. I hope I did ok, I saw a huge black and yellow swallowtail flying hurriedly in and out of the yard today, I wish she could have stopped for a visit. I am hoping the new flowers will encourage them to come by for a visit... and then stay. :) That would make the autumn perfect!
-OndineMonet
"Hummingbird"
San Leandro Marina
San Leandro, California
June 23, 2007
Afternoon
6 comments:
that's a picture for a magazine!
Hands down, that is one of the best nature shots I have ever seen!
They're amazing to see in action because they're moving so fast that you can barely see them. Great job!
Stunning shot! You really should enter that one in a competition.
:-)
Vicki
Super hummer! I'm glad you are going to do a course. Focus is good, sometimes I think I drift too much left to my own whims.
Don't worry the swallowtail. That's what they do, hurry in and then hurry out :-) Just plant yourself nearby what the butterfly is interested in and you'll do fine!
FANTASTIC picture, Carly! I almost have no words -- super capture, that's all I can say.
Excellent hummer shot! By th way, that's a Black-chinned Hummingbird, a common summer species in the part of the country - but certainl hard to photograph! Well done!
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