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RE: Hummingbird photos…. Posted by Anne Rodkin

A trick I learned in Costa Rica is to tape over all of the holes in a feeder, except one. Into that hole, place a nice flower (preferably something with a good size to it, like Hibiscus, or Trumpet Flower). Add some hummingbird nectar to the center of the flower. Stay seated quietly, but get everything composed and focused as you want it, and just wait until the bird(s) approach the flower, and start shooting. It’s helpful to use a shutter cable for this.

If you want to go a step further, you can place some colored backdrops if you have them, to avoid any sort of cluttered background. And a few well placed flash units don’t hurt either.

I think you’ll be amazed at the photos you will get, and they’ll always look natural.

I wish I had taken more shots of hummers in Costa Rica, because I’ve never seen one here where I live. There are several in my gallery area though if you want to see what I’m talking about. And yes, these were all at feeders.

You might find this article of interest. Greg gives tours throughout Central America, and also does some at his own home in Costa Rica.

http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/2010/10/documenting-my-front-yard-bird-photography-setups/

Editors note:
This image will work well on Facebook, Google + and Twitter. The landscape orientation of the photograph will look great.

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