Previous Image

Up One Level

Next Image

Click Here to Go Back

Green Violet-Ear in Flight

Image # 1D2_03576

Fogden's Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde

 

Canon 100-400L/f4.5-5.6 IS at 260 mm

ISO 1250, f/7.1, 1/250 second

Manual Metering, 550EX at -1/3 EV

Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimberley Sidekick

 

As we experienced the first time we visited Monteverde in March, 2004, the hummingbirds were active, beautiful and diverse. But, also typical for Monteverde, the conditions were dark and wet. I really don't like relying on flash so much, but there was really no choice here (or quite frequently in many Costa Rica locations). To avoid having the background too dark, I had to bump up the ISO, and keep the aperture relatively wide open. I also generally prefer shutter speeds in teh 1/250 to 1/320 range - quick enough to freeze motion in the head, but slow enough to give a little blur to the wings for a more 'dynamic' feel.