Hummingbird Adventures #14

Now that the rope is down, Zoom had to find a new swing. This is a loop of the wisteria. He perches here in the shade and waits for interlopers to try to eat from His feeder. Too funny to watch!

Can't tell which of the girls this is, but she sure looks sweet peeking over the edge of the feeder. I think she after the gnats at the base of the "flowers".
Peek a boo!

This is Zooms second favorite perch. Can't wait to see what I was able to capture today. LOL! Was so unhappy about the time spent editing, that I just put it back on auto for today. I'll play some more tomorrow. Had my tune-up at the chiropractor today, and am feeling sore. Short siesta, a swim, chores, and hummer photos! Sounds like a good afternoon to me.
Hope you all cool off soon, this heat is ridiculous. Thank whoever created misters. Our back porch faces west, and our bedroom is on that side too. The mister really helps on these hot afternoons to keep both the patio and the house comfortable. I put plants down where it drips so I don't waste the water. Usually have it on low, and only for a few hours each day, when it's this hot.
duc, how is Duke?
WIB,
SW

Love that peek-a-boo photo, SW! It's been much cooler here the last two days, so perhaps it's moving to you.

Down to 100F degrees today, from 105 yesterday, expecting below 100 tomorrow and the remainder of the next 7 days, wahoo!

It's been just dreadful for my new plants in the front yard! But the finches still love their dust baths out there. The divots keep getting deeper, LOL.

Linda

Are they finches or sparrows, Linda? I've seen sparrows do the dirt bath thing, but not finches.

KC, It's much cooler here today. For which I am grateful.
Got some hummer photos to share with you yesterday, but was too tired to post last night.
Zoom was hogging the camera yesterday, and greeted me this morning by flying in my face because I didn't open up the gh door first! He is such a funny character.
His new favorite perch.

He let me get a little closer as long as I kept that 4 x 4 post in between him and me. LOL!
He sits here and watches the feeder in the gh, and if any other hummer comes near, he flies after them and chases them away from HIS feeder. : )

I must have scared him when I was working on fixing the mister, and he flew a few feet away to his second favorite spot to guard his feeder.

This is Zoom, can't see his pretty colors but the camera on auto did catch more wing/feather detail. : )
I think he was cussing me out because I was too close to his favorite spot.

He has settled down in the wisteria now.

Zoom is ever vigilant, and even though he knows that I'm there, he's watching His feeder. Maybe I'll put another feeder in the gh and see what he does. It's bound to be entertaining. LOL!

This looks like our Sweetie Pie, but I could have sworn it was Zoom. Who ever it is doesn't seem to appreciate the photo op!

I leaning towards it being Zoom because of the markings, not to mention the attitude.
He had taken a long drink, then he gives me this look. You can figure out a caption, I think his look says it all! LOL!

Can't be sure who this is either, but if you look close you'll see his/her tongue is sticking out! LOL!
On that note, I'll have to see if I can get some hummer photos in a bit. Wasn't able to get much this morning. I think they take a siesta around this time of day too!
WIB,
SW

my 1st good hummer picture.

Very nice shots SW and luckie!!

luckie,
I am so happy for you. I swear those little guys are faster than a speeding bullet. That is a beautiful photo! I love the detail, not to mention the expression on your hummer's face! Well done! : )
I didn't do as well as you did yesterday when I was trying to photograph my hummies. They'd show up while I was talking on the phone, but they know I can't talk on the phone and take photos at the same time, so they were safe! LOM~
Thanks pelle, nice to hear from you!
Only got two worth sharing, still learning how to use that camera, but if you take enough photos eventually you'll get at least one good one. Here it is. From a distance first. Then cropped.
WIB,
SW

Very disappointed in the quality of the photo when it's cropped. I'm going to read that manual again, and see if I can't do better.
Happy hummer hunting (camera's only please!)! : )
WIB,
SW

I get that problem, too, SW. I know it has to do with the depth of field, but not sure how to fix it. Then I look it up in the manual and the next time the situation comes up, I've forgotten the answer! LOL

Hi, SW! What wonderful detail your new camera catches. WOW!

You're running into the same problem, I think, that I have. That is, you're focusing on something other than the subject. For me, I can't seem to focus quickly enough on the subject, in this case a hummie, and end up with a photo focusing on the background or a nearby object.

You caught the detail in your chair magnificently in this last one and missed hummie's detail.

Now then, if someone could help us figure out how to manage the focus on a moving hummie or other moving subject, like a Standard Poodle perhaps, then I'd be ever so grateful.

WOW! That camera is awesome, girl! And you're managing a "steady shot" with a master's touch! YES!!!

Fondly,
Linda and The MopTops

My sport mode does help with that, but it sounds like SW doesn't like the way hers works. Don't know if it's the same type of feature. SW, does your sport setting take multiple shots or freeze action? My old camera used to do the multiple shot thing, which is handy if you're shooting volleyball - sand in the air is neat!

Hmmm, I've never tried my sports mode setting. The dead wasp wasn't a problem, but I'd sure want to catch it from a distance if it was moving, LOL. I'll have to try that setting, KC.

Sand in the air? Does it capture water in the air? It'd be interesting to see what happens in a major wand and a large tree is moving in the same direction at one time. Oh, I know, I'm a little bizarre . . . it's been a hard week at work.

Linda and The MopTops

Ducbin catches water shots all the time - must be a fast lens, because they are close-ups. I used to know more, but never can remember what to change in a hurry. I know our camera will do macro shots, but I can't seem to get them in focus - more a problem with my vision, I think, than the camera. :-) Have to get the book out again!

arrgg ,I too am suffering new camera syndrom,used to shoot w/maual settings on my trusty old nikkon,cant remember how to anymore LOL,and cant get to the settings fast enough on the digital,because I cant see,dang old eyes.Singingwolf try a tripod no pun intended !! i seem to get much bettter photos of hummers or bugs in the sports setting,burst mode,They have a I think its a camera stick that you attach it to your camera,its short so you rest it on your belt or belly line !!!! maybe its called a steady stick ????But anyway a tripod will help a lot.heres a bad shot no tripod,does this guy qualifiy as a hummer

We have one of those little tripods, huggergirl. It's like a gumby - you can twist it any which way. Our camera also has a mode that helps lessen the hand shake problem.

I was going to start a new thread but seem to not have the header available to copy and paste. It is just plain missing. If someone else can start a new thread, I'm sure that our dial up friends would appreciate it.
A tripod really does help.
So does the mode that lessens the hand shake problems. I can't hold a camera steady for long, and I love that part.
I didn't like sport mode. Hardly any difference between photos, and still couldn't get the clarity I want. I know that there is a way to set up your personal preferences on the camera and it will save them, but haven't figured it out yet. I am working on it though.
Took this one on Friday. The hummers just weren't coming by.
On Auto setting with the Nikon Coolpix P90, using the telephoto.

Can't see the detail as well on the chair, but can see the hummer better, but still not good enough.

This one, just cracks me up!
More soon!
WIB,
SW

That is pretty funny!

Here's the next part: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1022492/