While watching one of my hummingbird feeders, I spotted a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched nearby. She appeared to be taking a brief break from feeding, and the sunlight revealed a dusting of yellow pollen on the top of her head and beak. That small detail told me she had just been deep inside a flower.
She sat still long enough for me to take several photos, which is always a bonus. Then, in what seemed like a deliberate move, she turned her head to give me a better look at her pollen-covered crown. It almost felt like she knew I needed a good angle for a blog post and decided to help out.
Small moments like these offer a glimpse into the daily lives of hummingbirds. They are not only entertaining to watch but also serve as important pollinators. Encounters like this remind me of the critical role these tiny birds play in the health of our environment.
Photography Tip
When photographing hummingbirds, use a fast shutter speed to freeze their rapid movements. If one happens to pause like this, it’s a great opportunity to lower your ISO for a cleaner, sharper image using natural light.
For more tips on capturing these birds in action, visit my post on Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Flight Photo Tips.
Camera Settings
Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Lens: RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Aperture: ƒ/8
Focal Length: 500.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/2000
ISO: 1000
Exposure Mode: Manual
Exposure Compensation: +1/3