Little Hummers

[Snarkbyte]

A few shots of a hummingbird nest. C&C is welcome and invited, as always.

#1: I have mixed feeling about the leaf in this shot. I wish it weren't there, but if it has to be in the shot, it is at least in a spot where in completes the curving line of the baby bird's neck.


#2: Preening


#3. The two chicks were hatched several days apart.


#4. The older chick tests his wings. His wings weren't up to it yet, but he almost fell out of the nest a couple of seconds after this shot. Luckily, his feet had a real grip, and the leaf beneath allowed him to push himself back up.

[jeeperman]

Great captures Al! That first one is spectacular.

[Bobobird]

Top shots.

[dje]

Excellent set Al - well captured.

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Al,

Nice series

A few shots of a hummingbird nest. C&C is welcome and invited, as always.

#1: I have mixed feeling about the leaf in this shot. I wish it weren't there, but if it has to be in the shot, it is at least in a spot where in completes the curving line of the baby bird's neck.

Why not just clone out a tiny bit to separate it from the beak but leave most of it there if you're uncomfortable taking it out completely?

That said, I would agree that if you have a series like this necessarily all shot from same angle, having background leaves that come and go between shots would be 'disconcerting'

Cheers,

[Snarkbyte]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

@Dave: I have considered a few edits, but my conscience just won't let me alter a wildlife shot beyond cropping, exposure, color balance, sharpening, and the like. The thing that really bugs me is that there is no catchlight in the younger chick's eye, so that eye looks a bit dead. It would be simple to add in Photoshop, but I just can't get myself to add a detail to a wildlife shot. I'm not that strict about other types of shots, but for some reason, I have different standards for nature/wildlife shots.

[jeeperman]

Al, I get it. I feel the same way. Although I will goe so far as to trim an offending twig. That is it, I either got the capture or I will try again. Still a very good image and I would be pleased with it as is.

[Jack R Mann]

Great captures all.
well done Al.