hummingbirds with the Nikon D850 - raw files in photoshop

the birds do not like the bees... they fly around to avoid them. Suppose getting stung would not be a good thing for a tiny bird. Often there is  pretty complex dance around the feeder.

In this case, having a big sensor is helpful -- I was able to get some of the images almost in focus despite having a little tremor. I tried a tripod but couldn't really see to frame a shot or fine adjust the auto focus.
Shooting against a white wall and brightly lit yard on a sunny day made some of the captured images under or over exposed. Fixed in raw.  Am getting better at photoshop.
I have quite a few feeders out this time of year and they go through about a quart a day!

I like how in this image you can see details - the individual feathers on the bird, the tip of her tongue - but the wings are ghosts in motion. You can see the wind from the wings  pick up the feathers on her back near the base of the wing. I love the little white spot by the eyes. Always the illusion that the eyes are almost human with the white part making the almond shape. Makes her look like she's got big eyes like a doll.

eventually I'll get two entire birds in the same frame and in focus, but so far this is as close as I've gotten.

They do all sorts of things with their tails - I am guessing they flare them to give a message as well as use it to adjust air speed.

Basically I sat on the deck for an hour waiting for them to fly in and out. They were certainly more cautious with me there, but it did not stop them.

I was waiting for a rust toned boy with the orange flashing neck and head feathers, but no such luck the other day. 

I will have to try again. One nice thing about digital cameras -- lots of images you can not use.