Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: How do I get a picture of a Humming bird? , 1 by catbird8

catbird8 wrote:
There are two keys to photographing hummingbirds.
1 - Patience
2 - Location

Set up a hummingbird feeder and watch it until you see action. Then set up within range of your camera and wait.
Likewise, if you have a digital with rapid fire mode, set it for that, assuming you don't need flash. Also, a lot of digitals will not do rapid fire in automatic mode. So know your camera. A lot of hummers do not like to see anyone moving about. So, they will run if they see any motion. Some will eat out of your hand. Patience.

If your digital has a reasonable telephoto range, set near the end of that range, with an idea of what kind of picture you want. Feeding - hovering - posing on a nearby limb to chase others away, etc. Note also that male Ruby-throats migrate separately from females. So, if you see a female at your feeder that is what you are going to get. Wait and watch. Males will come through on different schedule. All of this of course depends upon where you are and what travels through your area.

Attached is one of my favorites - a male Ruby-throat "top gun" ready to chase any other hummers away.

Rod