My First Hummingbird Shots

[Russs]

Today I was able to get some hummingbirds for the first time in my bud's backyard. I just need an outside opinion on my shots though since I don't feel I can tell if they're okay, so here's a few of them! Thanks in advance!

I shot with a Nikon D7200 with a Nikkor 200-500 lens, and ISO at 2000 on Aperture mode.

 

[tirediron]

Nice set! They're a huge challenge to capture.

 

[BrentC]

Great set! Still haven't captures any myself. The feeder is going up in a couple weeks and I hope I get some visitors. We just get Ruby-throated where I am.

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice set.

 

[Jeff G]

I would be ecstatic if I could get shots like these!

 

[Don Kondra]

It's all about the light angle, wing position and focus on the eyes.

I'd say you did well !

Cheers, Don

 

[ac12]

From when I seen them to when I get the camera, they are gone . . .

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

Nice job. I will be trying for some myself in a couple months.

 

[HavToNo]

Excellent shots.

 

[baturn]

Very nice set!

 

[Fujidave]

Cracking set of shots, really good wing blur too.

 

[Russs]

.

From when I seen them to when I get the camera, they are gone . . .

I had the same issue at first, but I realized that if you have the camera pointed at the place their eating and focused on that, you can move the camera around the surrounding area where one will almost definitely be. Also, don't worry if you move and they fly away. If you stay still for long enough they will likely comeback if they were eating! It took me about a little over an hour to get those shots so you do have to have a lot of patients!
What I did was focus on a feeder, glance over my camera every now and then, and when a bird went to the feeder I focused on it until it started flying. Bit tricky at first, but the burst mode really became my best friend. If you're able to get the camera focused on a hummingbird you only have maybe a couple seconds to fire off as many shots as you can, and hope once came out good.
If you really want to get some shots of them I'd recommend setting up some feeders around your yard!

 

[Russs]

It's all about the light angle, wing position and focus on the eyes.

I'd say you did well !

Cheers, Don

Thanks! I hope to get more in the future once I figure out my camera a bit more!

 

[Russs]

Nice set! They're a huge challenge to capture.

Yeah, they were a lot faster than I expected! I guess I really shouldn't underestimate their speed and determination to avoid my camera haha!

 

[Russs]

Great set! Still haven't captures any myself. The feeder is going up in a couple weeks and I hope I get some visitors. We just get Ruby-throated where I am.

Good luck with the feeders! I'm sure they'll come around after a bit, and I'm sure you'll get some amazing shots of them!