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Finding the Perfect Flower


Finding the Perfect Flower
Photo Information
Copyright: Jane Magen (jaycee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure: f/4, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-13 8:16
Viewed: 426
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Black-chinned Hummingbird

The black-chinned hummingbird measures about three and one-half inches long with a three and three-quarter-inch wing span. It weighs three to three and one-half grams, which is about equivalent to the weight of a dime plus a dollar bill. The male is dull metallic green above and gray below. He has a black chin and upper throat with a violet, iridescent lower throat which is known as a gorget (pronounced gore-jet). A white upper breast looks like a collar against the gorget. The female lacks the characteristic coloring on the chin and upper throat and lower throat.

Black-chins breed from southern British Columbia to Mexico. They winter in Mexico. Black-chins arrive in Canada in late May, following their migration out of Mexico. They begin returning to Mexico in late June. Most are gone from southern British Columbia by the end of July. They are abundant in southern Arizona throughout summer.

Due to its high sugar content, which fuels the bird’s extreme metabolism, nectar serves as the main food source. These hummingbirds feed on over 90 species of plants, with penstemon, agave, larkspur and desert-honeysuckle the most important. In recent years, artificial feeders have begun to supplement their normal diet. They also prey on insects and spiders, particularly when females are laying eggs and feeding their young. They get most of their water from nectar.

Red flowers are generally the most commonly visited ones although tubular-shaped corollas, regardless of color, may be just as important an attractant. Others hypothesize that black-chins choose red and orange flowers because fewer insects visit them.

Eighteen species of hummingbird occur in the United States, with 15 of those visiting Arizona either regularly or rarely.

DesertUSA
Jamesp, eng55, mayuresh, Gert-Paassen, maurydv, nglen, boreocypriensis, gracious, bahadir, Luis52, tuslaw, goldyrs, zulfu, haraprasan, xTauruSx, eqshannon, hester, marhowie, NinaM, Necipp, CeltickRanger, ramthakur has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-06-13 8:30]

Hi Jane

Amazing shot - wish we had humming birds! The blurred wings are excellent and the composition very good.

TFS

JAmes

Hello Jane,
Nice picture of this Hummingbird feeding.
Very nice presentation.. It's been a while
since I have seem one.. Hummm

Everton

Hello Jane,
nice action shot of humming bird,perfect composition and pov.
well done.
TFS.

Hello Jane
This is a superb capture of The Black Chinned HummingBird...After my trip to the natural history museum I know know how small these fellas are and I am amazed by them.
I cant imagine how fast there wings must go to be so stationary they can select a flower.
I would love to see one (not stuffed in a glass case!!)
Brilliant shot and Tfs
Paul

Hello Jane,

Nice framing picture from this bird and flower.
Exellent BG and good light and colors.

Gert

Bellissimo momento di cattura, ottimi POV e composizione con il fiore al centro dell'attenzione dell'uccellino, buona nitidezza, belli i colori, bellissimo e inusuale BG per te che ami i cieli azzurri. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1993 W: 5 N: 5571] (21050)
  • [2008-06-13 11:41]

Hi Jane. This little bird blends in well with the bush. You have captured it just about to enter the flower. good detail and natural colours. A good inflight picture. well done TFS.
Nick..
Have a good weekend.

Hi My big Sis Jane,
A lovely and splendid shot of this black-chinned hummingbird feeding with perfect nectar:) Th posture is wonderful and you captured it very well. Have a nice weekend Sis! TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello Jane,
very good moment on the hummingbird finding it's food on the flower with it's spread wings!
good lighting with sharpness, colour and details
many thanks for the sharing
Tony

Hello Jane,
Wonderful capture of this hummingbird with splendid details. TFS. Regards, Bahadır

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2802] (10144)
  • [2008-06-13 17:09]

Hi Dear Cousin.
Excellent photo is This one. You have here a beautiful moment cauth. I really like Hummingbirds, even if they fight each others all the time, I guess the do for ladies.
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 240 W: 8 N: 607] (1929)
  • [2008-06-13 20:10]

Great shot Jane,
This is probably Rosie's favorite bird to watch. You have done a nice job capturing this little beauty.
We only have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds here in Ohio. You are fortunate to have other species to enjoy viewing.
Good sharpness and colours. Love the composition. Very informative notes!!
Ron

What an amazing shot, Jane!these are such fast birds, you must've timed it so well!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-13 21:05]

Hello Jane

A great capture of this hummer at a beautiful flower.
The composition is very good.
Lovely colours.
Good pov and dof.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-06-14 0:10]

Hello Jane, wonderful capture of this beautiful bird with excellent DOF, POV and composition. TFS.
Regards, Mehmet

Hi Jane,
A very good flying action shot of this humming bird. Excellent composition and good details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Jane! wonderful capture of this beautiful humingbird in flight and feeding with excellent details. TFS. Regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-06-14 4:49]

Hi Jane,
Wonderful shot of this beautiful Hummingbird sucking nectar from those tiny flowers. Great timing and skill here from you and you have freezed this moment superbly. Very neat and sharp image with bright sunny lighting and perfect exposure. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Sometimes movement can be a plus...Here you have done just perfect in the action on the wings and you couldn't have had a better angle...Very nice Jane!
bob

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-06-14 10:12]

Great shot, Jane!
I love all the colours here.
Excellent pose too.
Nice light.
Superb DOF.

Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-14 11:20]

Hi Jane,
Beautiful moment and capture.POV,colors and composition are perfect.Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 107 N: 4816] (21378)
  • [2008-06-14 13:17]

Very well done shot Jane! Well composed and well captured! The result is superb, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-06-14 13:22]

Hi Jane

Wonderful to see this hummingbird going in for a feed. Beautiful natural BG, great DOF and sharp details. Lovely to see

TFS

Karan

Hi Jane,
Nice shot with great exposure, colors, and details..
I've tried the hummers twice this past week, poor results.
They are few in numbers right now, and it's very hot outside already..And when I do get a shot, there's a darn flower stem right where it should NOT be :(
Well done & TFS,
Howard

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 566 W: 0 N: 1388] (4593)
  • [2008-06-14 17:23]

Hello Jane, you caught this tiny bird so well, they go so fast! And the pov is real nice, we see much details and the position of the tiny bird is superb. Thank you!

Francine

Hello Jane a fine shot, wish I had an oppourtunity to try hummers. You did very well Best rgds Necip

hello Jane

excellent action shot of this Hummingbird with fine POV and vertical framing,
beautiful luminosity of the image, and the blur of the wings
shows the motion of the Hummingbird's wings, TFS

Asbed

A great action shot, Jane.
It is not easy to capture a Hummingbird hovering, but you got perfect timing here to show all the details including one fluttering wing to perfection.
TFS and regards.
Ram

Hi Jane, splendid Hummingbird with wonderful colors, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Fantastic catch sister Jane....Beautiful composition...Well done...All the best, Leyla

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