Thank you HifiGuy1 and Jon Ruyle,


All images were photographed with 40D, 400 f/5.6L usingAperture Priority,Evaluative Metering, AI Servo AF and if I remember I set the white balance to one of the presets otherwise it's AWB. The files are recorded in RAW formatand converted in DPP to JPEG before further enhancement in CS2. I usually crop for artistic reason, increase the contrast, adjust the brightness, resize and sharpen using the USM feature.


1. Hummingbird: f/5.6, 1/1000 sec., ISO 400


2. Herons Nesting: f/6.3, 1/1600sec., ISO 250, +2/3 Exp. Com.


3. Western Grebe: f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 800, Noise Ninja


4. Osprey: f/5.6, 1/2000sec, ISO 250


5. Heron with fish: f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 200


The minimum focus distance of the 400 f/5.6L is11.5ft (3.5m), so this is as close as you can get. I used to shoot with the 70-200 f/2.8L IS and was able to get as close as 5 ft to a hummer. To get close to a hummingbird, you have tomove slowlyand not make any sudden movement. The best thing to do is observing where the hummer normally comes to feed and then waitabout6-8 ft away (for 70-300, 70-200, 200 and 300 fixed). The bird may fly awayat firstbut if you patiently wait, it'll trust you andcome back. Make sure you don't wear bright color clothing. [img]/emoticons/emotion-1.gif[/img]


I don't remember the shooting distance, I apologize.