Hummingbirds: I'm shooting with a 4.5/5.6 lens and it is very sharp but most of the time the ambient light forces a decision between slower SS and Higher ISO, for the conditions. Wide...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I'm shooting with a 4.5/5.6 lens and it is very sharp but most of the time the ambient light forces a decision between slower SS and Higher ISO, for the conditions. Wide open is almost a constant.

Now that Sony has released the new 70-200 GM II I think its a good time to find a bargain on version one. KEH here I come, lets do some trading.

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Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Excellent photos. I would like to get a hummingbird feeder but my wife doesn’t think it is a good idea because the birds become to rely on it and when we are away, no one will be there fill it and the birds will starve. Any comments?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Robertl594 wrote:

Excellent photos. I would like to get a hummingbird feeder but my wife doesn’t think it is a good idea because the birds become to rely on it and when we are away, no one will be there fill it and the birds will starve. Any comments?

Hummers have a very high metabolism and feed almost constantly throughout the day. They eat insects as well as nectar.
Based on my observation a feeding takes less than 30 seconds and they visit the feeder 3-4 times per hour.
What are they doing the rest of the time?...eating insects or from other nectar feeders.
Dependence? Not likely.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Robertl594 wrote:

Excellent photos. I would like to get a hummingbird feeder but my wife doesn’t think it is a good idea because the birds become to rely on it and when we are away, no one will be there fill it and the birds will starve. Any comments?

Misconception.. Scientists tell us hummers get 20% of their dietary needs from nectar. The other 80% is derived from insects. Nectar barely gets the birds to and from your feeders. Hummers visit our feeders in early morning and then again for "Happy Hour" around 6:00 pm. I find them in the main garden feasting all day on insects. Your wife's good intentions are just that, the birds will simply go elsewhere for nectar if/when your feeder runs dry. A word to the novice, one feeder will not satisfy YOUR needs, especially if you plan. on taking photographs. This exercise is frightfully addictive. You have been warned!!! The first sign is "I need more cards" and then comes the "I need more lens" and your are caught in the trap! The final element is your time, and how much you will spend sitting and watching and waiting. THEN, you will begin seeing the results of your endeavor, and all efforts will be worth the price you will pay. We all began with "one feeder." Enjoy.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Thank you for your comments. Makes me a bit more comfortable. I am suspecting that this will become very addictive. I have a habit if deeply diving into figuring out how to better shoot a subject and have been know to spend fortunes on equipment to do just that. Fortunately, I think I have what I need for this, other than the feeders and birds.

How long does it take for the birds to begin to arrive? How far apart should the feeders be? Should they be in the shade?

Thanks again for your kind advice.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Great series, nice job.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Robertl594 wrote:

Thank you for your comments. Makes me a bit more c... (show quote)

It might take a day or more, depending on your area.

I don't think the birds care if it's shade or sun. Place it where the light is most conducive to your photo preferences.

I don't think distance between feeders is important. I have four they vary between a couple of feet to a dozen or so. I have seed feeders as well so the nectar feeders are in a different part of the yard.
I have regular visitors and also some just passing through. All my feeders see use at times.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I tried to sell mine a few months ago with the idea of replacing it with the newer version. If you look at my posts you can see pictures and what I was asking. Unfortunately all of the packaging is at our place in Arizona while we are in Montana. Let me know if you are interested. Maybe we could work something out.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

joer wrote:

It might take a day or more, depending on your area.

I don't think the birds care if it's shade or sun. Place it where the light is most conducive to your photo preferences.

I don't think distance between feeders is important. I have four they vary between a couple of feet to a dozen or so. I have seed feeders as well so the nectar feeders are in a different part of the yard.
I have regular visitors and also some just passing through. All my feeders see use at times.

I am in a suburb of Detroit. Also spend a lot of time in Nantucket.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Nalu wrote:

I hear excellent reports on the new version of the 70-200 2.8. I have been having gas attacks as well but have not decided to pull the trigger. Looking forward to seeing some results!

Nikon? Fantastic lens. You need it!!! One of those things.

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

outstanding images!!

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Robertl594 wrote:

Nikon? Fantastic lens. You need it!!! One of those things.

Sony. This post was a mistake in that I thought Joel was looking for the new Sony version of the 70-200.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

joer wrote:

I'm shooting with a 4.5/5.6 lens and it is very sharp but most of the time the ambient light forces a decision between slower SS and Higher ISO, for the conditions. Wide open is almost a constant.

Now that Sony has released the new 70-200 GM II I think its a good time to find a bargain on version one. KEH here I come, lets do some trading.

Unrivaled shooting skills 🏆💎🏆💎🏆

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Robertl594 wrote:

Excellent photos. I would like to get a hummingbird feeder but my wife doesn’t think it is a good idea because the birds become to rely on it and when we are away, no one will be there fill it and the birds will starve. Any comments?

Plant nectar producing flowering plants. The hummers will visit both the plants and the feeders!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

The reason for placing the feeders in the shade is that the nectar will stay "fresh" much longer if kept out of direct sunlight. Just like people drinking fruit juice, nectar for the hummers should be kept as fresh and clean as possible!