Birds in Nature - images of wild birds by Richard Ditch

Subject: Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps)
Place: Patagonia, AZ, USA
Date: June 1999
Equipment: Nikon N90S, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (= 600/5.6), tripod
Film: Fujichrome Sensia II 100
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix meter, natural light
Scan: Minolta Dimage, cropped 50% of image

Commentary: Violet-crowned Hummingbirds are primarily Mexican species that reach the northern limit of their range in southern AZ, and are highly prized by birders keeping lists for the US. They have become easy to see around Patagonia, AZ, where they now nest in small numbers and visit a few well-known feeding locations. Unlike the other hummingbirds of the US, these birds don't have a bright gorget, and the males and females look essentially the same. This bird was loafing between feedings, above a light colored roof that seems to have provided a lot of reflected fill light.