First of the year here too

Hello everyone, I guess the annual Hummingbird show has started. I had a beautiful male here yesterday, He may be winging south already, not a first year male. In any event, I had a couple hours this morning, sketchy light at times but here you go, my first of this year's Hummingbird extravaganza...

All were 7.1m away

Some like the frozen wing shots, flash and big setups, I only use natural light and love the way a wing can be seen making two passes in a fraction of a second....
1/160, f/7.1, iso 200

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e1​71acf78

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e3​702507

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e1​758eafb

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e1​5bcfe82

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e1​3d085c0

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e1​49afbef

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p55977358/e1​586d411

Thanks for sharing Bret. These are all beautiful. I like that you share your settings too!

Well done capturing them Bret and at 1/160!

Stellar captures, Bret. Absolutely gorgeous.
Like Sandy, I too appreciate the way you share your knowledge, techniques, and settings.
I love the broad spectrum of approaches that are shared on this forum . . . from the frozen wing captures to the transparent blur.
All absolutely top shelf in their own unique way.

Thanks very much Sandy, Brad and Barry, very much appreciated!

I like `em all Bret, but especially the last 2 with the darker background.
Looking forward to a long summer of hummer images from you my friend

Great captures Bret! Can't wait for ours to return..

Great shots Bret.

Thanks very much Steve, much appreciated my friend!
Thanks very much Cheryl, they will be there before you know it!
Thanks to you too John!

All wonderful images and it is helpful that you shared the setting info. My goal now is to get a shot like your second image of both male and female Ruby Throated HB. Saw my first for the year yesterday, 5/5/14.Would be elated if I had taken any of the above. The challenge begins.

very beautiful

Ah, your little buddies have arrived! Beautiful shots, Bret. And I love that you photograph them with natural light. I too like the movement in the wings. Amazing little birds that you captured so very well!

OK, my bar has been set! Think Bret has posted some better Hummer shots, but if I could get to this level, oh wow! You da man, Buddy!

Bret, I too like a little wing movement. Nice work.

Nice shots. I saw one the other day but I did not have my camera. I was so happy to see they are returning!