About the Image(s)

I shot this image while taking one of my many walks along the trails of the place we call Weede Haven. It’s our eight-acre place, which we manage for Nature, within the town limits of Warren Arkansas. Nancy and I walk the trails at least once each day and I usually carry my camera, a 36 megapixel full-frame DSLR with a 300mm prime lens or a 150-450 zoom on monopod. And I stick a 100mm macro lens in my pocket. On this day I was carrying the 300mm. While passing a catalpa tree in full bloom at the edge of the meadow, I spotted a ruby-throated hummingbird feeding on the flowers. I took several shots from about 50 feet away before it flew away and am posting the best one. The original is also posted to show what I had to do to get (what I consider) a decent final image. Of course I wish I had the 450mm with me but this image shows my frustration with shooting wildlife, especially birds, with my current equipment. Maybe I’m spending too much time on social media looking at clean, tack-sharp images of birds taken with an R-5 or D-850 and a 600mm lens. Pentax K-1; 300mm; 1/320; f5.6; ISO1250. Processed in Lightroom to selectively adjust exposure, highlights, sharpness and nearly everything else.