Colibri delphinae

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Colibri delphinae
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Vincent (earthtraveler) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 470 W: 134 N: 971] (3517)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-22
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/3.7, 1/40 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My Purple Obsession 1, Superb Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-19 8:56
Viewed: 802
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On the road north from Vara Blanca at Cinchona is a restaurant, Cafe Mirador, popular with birders because of the variety of birds visiting the feeders and the beautiful view of the distant La Paz Waterfall. I was blessed to capture this Brown Violet-ear there though I struggled with focus in the dull light. Unfortunately the Emerald Toucanet was too fast for me that day.

The Brown Violet-ear (Colibri delphinae) is a large hummingbird that breeds at middle elevations in the hills from Guatemala and south to Bolivia and eastern Brazil, and on to Trinidad.

The breeding habitat is forest at altitudes between 400-1600m, but the Brown Violet-ear will spread widely into the lowlands when not nesting. It is replaced at higher altitudes by its relative, the Green Violet-ear C. thalassimus.

The Brown Violet-ear is typically found high in the forest canopy, tall second growth and coffee plantations, but it will feed at lower levels at edges and clearings. The nest is a small cup of plant down saddled on a twig 1-3m high in a bush, into which two white eggs are laid.

The 11.5 cm long, 6.5-7 g weight Brown Violet-ear is unmistakable; it is mainly dull brown, with a rufous rump and greyer underparts. There is a violet patch running back and down from the eye, a hermit-like malar stripe, and a glittering green central throat. The bill is short and straight.

The female is similar to the male, but has a smaller throat patch. Immature bird have rufous fringes to the upper part plumage, and little or no violet behind the eyes. The song is a vigorous repetition of the chit call, and is delivered by up to several dozen breeding males in loose leks.

The Brown Violet-ear feeds on nectar from small flowers of trees and epiphytes. It also takes insects, often caught in flight, as an essential source of protein. Although not particulary territorial, this species is highly aggressive, and at feeders seems to spend far more time attacking other hummingbirds than actually feeding.

Source: howtoenjoyhummingbirds.com

Aperture Priority
ISO 200
F-stop 3.7
Exp. 1/40th sec !!
Hand held

Thanks for taking a look and sharing your thoughts.
Richard
goldyrs, ellis49, jaycee, Tamrock, Miss_Piggy, CeltickRanger, boreocypriensis, flashpoint, jusninasirun, kmr13777, eqshannon, Alex99, Adanac, ramthakur, Maite has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Miss_Piggy: Thank you Annaearthtraveler 1 03-21 09:30
To jusninasirun: Thank you Jusniearthtraveler 1 03-21 09:26
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Richard,
a lovely colibri with beautiful colours, especially the blue part.
Well composed with good DOF and fine details.
Maybe all the softness around is bit to much IMO.
Well done.

Richard,
This is a very beautiful shot, excellent details of this beautiful bird.Very sharp and nice POV.
Thanks you!
Regards,
Goldy

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-03-19 9:12]

Hi Richard,

Costa Rica seems to be a feast for a photographer. This is a beautiful hummingbird - of course I have never seen this one before. How wonderful to get him in a pose like this. Beautiful colors - love that purple patch. Superb details and textures of the face,eye, and plummage.

Jane

Richard,
It' not easy catching the tiny little bird. You did a good job here, I like the beautiful purple feather on its side. What a cutie.
Way

Hello Richard
this is a superb shot..even more so when you take into account the low low shutterspeed.
The details are sharp and the bg really highlights him...I amazed at how he is perching on the top of that twig!!
All the Best
Paul

hi richard!
what a fine bird!
good shot with fine composition
and good sharpness!
well done!

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1086 W: 58 N: 2152] (7179)
  • [2008-03-19 11:38]

Hello Richard,
Very beautiful photo of this Violet-ear. Fantastic sharpness and details. Great natural colours. Also in the BG. Very good POV and DOF.
Regards,
Peter

Hallo Richard
I really fancy this one. I am crazy about purple and even created a theme with the title "My purple obsession" and when I see anything with the slightest hint of purple I about go dilly in excitement. In Afrikaans they would say "Haar kop het uitgehaak" which means I have lost it completely. What the heck, if I see a beauty like this, add that tiny speck of visible purple between the rest of the brown plumage, I don't care what anybody say. I just say it goes straight to where it belongs and that is with the rest of my purple beauties. Besides all I have said about the colour purple, I think this is a wonderful shot of a most handsome and dainty bird. I really like the catch light in the eye and the thick brown feathers in the tail piece. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Anna

hello Richard

lovely shot of this cute little bird, excellent POV and framing,
excellent DOF, lovely luminosity of the image,
wonderful bakcground, excellent details of the plumage,
i love this Colibri's pose on that little branche, TFS

Asbed

Another very well framed/composed image. Good color and shallow DOF highlights your subject very well. Good note to.

Hi Richard,
Womderfull bird with its lovely pose, and excellent DOF, POV sharpness. Nice composition.
TFS and regards,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 4 N: 1811] (8608)
  • [2008-03-20 2:49]

Richard, Just beautiul.Lovely composition. Great work. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2008-03-20 20:57]

Hi Richard,
Wonderful shot of this cute little bird and that violet plumage under the eye looks majestic. Very impressive sharpness, colours, lighting and exposure and I like that fabulous pose. The BG looks so special and compliments the subjects perfectly. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 8 N: 1023] (3786)
  • [2008-03-20 23:11]

Hello Richard,

A very cute hummingbird, very nice colors and details

Everton

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1266 W: 103 N: 4311] (19463)
  • [2008-03-21 8:38]

Hello Richard, that's quite a fine capture my friend, great little subject, fantastic details and very good technique, I love the beautiful background too. Very well done, thanks!

Mario

Hello Richard. I have nothing to say except it is a top quality first class image of this little bird. Please allow me to add this to my personal theme. Thanks for sharing and very well done. Regards. Jusni

Hi Richard,
A very sweet little bird. It has very small eyes and looks as if the eyes have been positioned incorrectly ... probably up side down.
A little noise...however a great shot against the OOF bright BG.

TFS
Kirti

Don't be a stranger...I like this but wonder if you have anything special for posting on Easter Sunday.....or maybe not?
Bob

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217] (13775)
  • [2008-03-22 7:51]

Hi Richard.
What a nice combination of lovely colour palette of the BG and colouration of the bird. Pictured scene is amazing and reproduction of the bird and every its feather and other details is brilliant. Bravo. Perfect job.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 1 N: 3939] (13258)
  • [2008-03-22 19:52]

Hello Richard,
What a beautiful new species you serve up for us here. Great composition with lovely colors and details, thanks Richard.
Rick

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1702 W: 5 N: 2123] (11730)
  • [2008-03-24 2:48]

Bonjour Richar,

Félicitation pour cette belle presentation. L'oiseau est mignon et bien positionné sur le bout de cette branche. Bravo pour les détails du plumage et son regard.
Merci pour le partage.
Joseph

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2726 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-24 20:47]

Hello Richard

What an amazing POV for this hummer.
The clarity is super,and the plumage detail is excellent.
Well illuminated with vibrant colours.
Nicely composed.
TFS

Rob

Hi Richard, lovely colibri in nice pose with splendid colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Richard,
Thanks for your kind words on my recent picture. I am obliged.
Many TN members have done great work in South America recently and that includes yours.
This is a brilliant capture of a hummingbird I have seen for the first time. Very sharp and clear capture. I like that patch of purple on the bird's neck.
TFS and regards.
Ram

I believe that Costa Rica must be the haven/HEAVEN for amazing hummingbirds. Someday...oh I would love to see these gorgeous creatures in person!
Wonderful shot! Nothing to distract from the little bird - simple and elegant.

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 982 W: 64 N: 1199] (4856)
  • [2008-04-18 2:40]

Hello Richard
I see that your gallery is full of little big marvels, like this one. What a beautiful hummingbird and what a lovely picture! I love the colors, POV, DOF and composition. Really excellent job!
Congratulations and TFS
Greetings
Maite

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