Figure 1 – Ruby-throated hummingbird (female), July 27, 2016, Sudbury, MA. (c) DE Wolf 2016.

After our very mild winter we have moved into a summer of drought. However, the combination of events has been very good for hostas, which are right now putting on a very dramatic floral display. Simultaneously the orange trumpet vines (Campsis radicans) are in full bloom. All of these flowers have attracted the ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris), which are the only breeding hummingbirds on the east coast of the United States.

So my challenge for today was to photograph, or at least attempt to photograph, these iridescent delicate little flyers.  In full expectation of humiliation, I took a chair, positioned myself, among the hosta flowers, watched the bees darting in and out of the lavender blossoms, and waited. Sitting, I am told, is not as threatening to the birds. Optimistically, I had my big lens and because it was just a bit overcast I set the ISO unusually high at 3200.

Figure 1 is my best image so far. I am reasonably happy. I love the lavender pastels. Even the sharpness is pretty good. Although I would have preferred a bit more sharpness in the birds face.

Canon T2i with EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens at 250 mm. ISO 320, Aperture Priority AE Mode, 1/1000th sec at f/7.1 with no exposure compensation.