A Broad-tailed Hummingbird can turn a quiet stop into a memorable morning. This one gave me a fine look in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah while it worked near white wildflowers.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird in Utah Feeding on Wildflowers
I photographed this Broad-tailed Hummingbird on June 2, 2022, at 10:26 A.M. The bird was in the Wasatch Mountains, where wildflowers added a clean, natural setting.
My friend Mia McPherson was driving and guiding that morning. She spotted the hummingbird as it fed from a wildflower.
That kind of help matters. Small birds can disappear fast, especially when they move through open patches, stems, and blossoms.
This hummingbird paused long enough for me to study it. Then it darted, hovered, and shifted again. I waited for the moment when the bird and flower came together in the frame.
A Quick Look at the Bird’s Movement and Habitat
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a small western hummingbird. In this scene, it showed the quick movements that make hummingbirds so interesting to watch.
It moved with short bursts of speed. Then it held itself near the flowers while feeding. Those pauses gave me a chance, but they did not last long.
The Wasatch Mountains offered a fitting backdrop. The area held open space, wildflowers, and enough variety to keep me watching closely.
I enjoy these small-bird encounters because they reward patience. A clean look can come and go in seconds. For another small-bird post, see my Male MacGillivray’s Warbler.
Photographing From a Beanbag in the Wasatch Mountains
I photographed from my vehicle. I had my camera and lens resting on a beanbag draped over the rolled-down window.
That setup gave me a steady support without leaving the vehicle. It also helped reduce movement while I followed the bird near the flowers.
The beanbag made a real difference with the long lens. It kept the camera steadier while I waited for the hummingbird to pause, feed, or lift off.
Camera and exposure details:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF 800mm f/11 IS STM
- Location: Wasatch Mountains, Utah
- Date and time: June 2, 2022, 10:26 A.M.
- Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/11, fixed
- Shutter speed: 1/3200
- ISO: 2500 and 1600, Auto
- Exposure compensation: 0 and -0.7
- Focal length: 800mm, fixed
This was one of those moments I remember because everything came together. The bird, the flowers, the light, and the setting all worked in my favor for a short time.