Steve'sDigicams

Hummer · May 18, 2004, 6:09 PM

Here's another shot I caught today, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the juniper/sage country near Rifle, Colorado. These guys are tough customers, photographically speaking, not only because of their miniscule hummingbird-sized stature but because they do everything fast!

I saw several hundred of these fellows today and tried stalking a few, but this one just circled around me as his mate worked to finish a nest about ten feet up in a Utah juniper. I snapped three quickies and got out of there. Many birds will abandon a nest if it is discovered or threatened prior to egg deposition.

Taken from about 15 feet, hand held, and under a noon time sun, it's not ideal but much better than I've ever done before with my film cameras. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Hummer

Hummer · May 18, 2004, 8:03 PM

This bird is actually a different individual, a male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Shot at 12x zoom, hand held at about 20 feet with a Panasonic FZ-10. Cropped and resized.

Hummer

checklg · May 19, 2004, 8:03 AM

Great to get such nice photos of such a small bird, a little too much enlargement though. You've clearly got a good stalking approach, as well as sensitivity over the question of nesting birds.

Regards, Graham.

Please visit www.pbase.com/grahamcheckley

Normcar · May 19, 2004, 10:52 PM

Great job Hummer, it's next to impossible to get these tiny guys. If you don't mind, what aperture setting are you using with these?

May 18, 2004, 6:09 PM	#1
Hummer Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 84	Here's another shot I caught today, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the juniper/sage country near Rifle, Colorado. These guys are tough customers, photographically speaking, not only because of their miniscule hummingbird-sized stature but because they do everything fast! I saw several hundred of these fellows today and tried stalking a few, but this one just circled around me as his mate worked to finish a nest about ten feet up in a Utah juniper. I snapped three quickies and got out of there. Many birds will abandon a nest if it is discovered or threatened prior to egg deposition. Taken from about 15 feet, hand held, and under a noon time sun, it's not ideal but much better than I've ever done before with my film cameras. Comments and suggestions welcome. Hummer Attached Images

May 18, 2004, 8:03 PM	#2
Hummer Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 84	This bird is actually a different individual, a male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Shot at 12x zoom, hand held at about 20 feet with a Panasonic FZ-10. Cropped and resized. Hummer Attached Images

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May 19, 2004, 8:03 AM	#3
checklg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 659	Great to get such nice photos of such a small bird, a little too much enlargement though. You've clearly got a good stalking approach, as well as sensitivity over the question of nesting birds. Regards, Graham. Please visit www.pbase.com/grahamcheckley

May 19, 2004, 10:52 PM	#4
Normcar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,748	Great job Hummer, it's next to impossible to get these tiny guys. If you don't mind, what aperture setting are you using with these?