Beautiful photos, Nicole! I like the photo with the entire hummingbird because it's a complete "story" in illustrating the relationship between the bird and the flower. It also shows what amazing creatures hummingbirds are, and the flower detail is still vivid enough to be appreciated.

I have to agree. I think viewing both photos, they are both amazingly vivid, and I prefer the one with the whole hummingbird! Great photos!

I like the up close photo! Actually I like them both, but seeing it close up in detail is pretty darn neat!

I also like both of them. Great shot. Hummingbirds are tough to get. I think I would prefer the close up of the head if the bird was further away from the flower and the tongue was extended but that's not your shot.....

I think I may understand why you're cropping/enlarging. Is it because the wings are blurred? They are tough subjects but you captured it well.

Both are stunning shots!! I can't choose-love them both!!

dees.....like shooting fish in a barrel....we have tons of hummingbirds. I can stop the wings or blur them. I just used this shot as an example. I have a moose shot....should I post the whole body or just her big ol' head with water dripping out of her mouth....? I have this decision to make every day and angst over it....so maybe I should just ask....what does everyone want to see? Maybe post one of each with different angles?

Definitely both, but I have always had a thing for closeup photography. It enables us to see what we normally can't.

I can understand your "angst" over your choice. I think I do prefer the close-up of the head and flowers; it is so vivid. The whole bird is good too, but I see Hummingbirds like that more often than I see them snapped in such a vivid and close up pose. You Know what I mean???? Both are wonderful.

Oh gee, Nicole, you are posing a tough question for us! The close-up of that elegant, streamlined head is stunning, but the full body shot is wonderful as well. Thank you so much for sharing all your remarkable photos.

I like them both, too. But if I had to choose, I would choose the close-up. Somehow it seems more dramatic. Now, where is that moose!!!

For this particular situation, I prefer the close-up because of the background. The bird's greenish body and the foliage behind do not separate well. Whereas with the close-up, the background is neutral. One sees the wing movement in both, so that is not an issue as far as I am concerned.

I love them both! I noticed that my eye is drawn to the hummingbird's eye in the close-up/cropped version, but my eye is drawn to its right wing in the full shot.

Wow, gorgeous pictures Nicole! I looooove birds and humming birds are amazing and beautiful creatures. I didn't read the other posts to stay true to my first impression which was the head shot. It's like he's looking at you while you are looking at him. I would love to have that pic enlarged and framed for my entry.

lukkirish...send me your email and I'll send "that" pic to you.

Your photo's are all amazing. I enjoy each and everyone, always! Thanks for sharing!

All I want it all! Lol

I used to do a lot of close up work so I too have a special feel for it but I really like the full body shot too. The eating the wildflowers pic is adorable. Awesome work on everything. Thanks for sharing your art.

Both are nice. Like the whole body one because the blurred wings contrast with the sharpness in the clearly in focus face. It shows movement without being out of focus. Nice shallow depth of field prevents distracting background. Good choice of f-stop and shutter speed. Great pics!

They are both wonderful shots and perfect in their own artistic right, if that makes sense.

In this particular instance, I'm more drawn to the full body shot.

It's like you crept up on him and snuck a pic of his secret inside world. The extreme close up feels more "scientific" for lack of a better way to put it. Like he knew you were there observing him and he had to "perform" for your shot.

The full body shot seems more "real" and in the moment.

OMG!!! Thank you Nicole!!! lukkiirish @ gmail . com !

That chipmunk is adorable! We have em here and I could watch them all day.

I like seeing both. I know that means more work for you having to post two pictures but they are all so very enjoyable.

Again a very difficult choice to make but I do love the closeup because "how often does one get to see a humming bird that close?" But the other shot is fabulous because it shows the whole bird and what is happening in context. Thank goodness for digital photography and being able to have both.

From my point of view, the biggest difference is in focal point. The focus of the first view gives equal weight to the flower and the bird, and the story it tells is sipping nectar (or whatever it is that they do). The focus of the full frame is the bird itself, and the story is hummingbird hovering with a blur of wings to enjoy a flower, where the flower is only important because of the bird. In the first one, its prominence is about the sustenance it provides. In the second, it's just a background prop. The third picture is interesting because one so rarely sees the wings in focus. If you have to choose, I'd go for the first one because it has a better story, and because it's less common. The second one is a gorgeous picture (they all are) but sort of the standard hummingbird shot. The third is interesting because of the wings but doesn't have as strong a story as the first two.

Eating the Wildflowers is stunning! It looks like a drawing from a storybook...or posed!

Impossible to choose, they are both wonderful. I love seeing all of your photos. I don't ever remember seeing one I didn't admire.

Either one cropped a bit would be improved and have an audience. My personal preference is the whole bird. I'm not a "parts" person. Now that chipmunk really makes me smile! Would probably have liked to have seen the complete critter but it's good as it is.

They are beautiful. The fact that the hummingbird is doing 2 things at once is pretty awesome to this spectator.

I like the close up but I love the chipmunk.

That chipmunk is adorable!!!!! Love it!

lukkiirish.....did you get it?

I love extreme closeups - close enough to count eyelashes but really, there ain't no such thing as a bad bird photo. :-) Love 'em all!

Nicole, I love your chipmunk. You can see his tail, but the size of him with his snack is just perfect. Nice work!! We have a lot of chipmunks but they always seem to be running. Maybe if I offered them snacks??? :)

Murraysmom.....all you have to do is disguise the snack. ;0) wink

My DH for instance spikes flowers with sugar water...to get more hummers feeding from the flowers shots. Maybe peanut butter in a flower and the chipper would be holding a flower instead of a man made item?

I love both types. I love to see the details, such as feathers and eye pupils. I also love seeing the surroundings. I'm happy with either, and take both kind of pics, myself.