Sunbirds and Banana Blossoms
33 worksFirst upload: Jun 2019Peak: 2026Last 12 months: 10
📝 Description
These images document interactions between small birds and banana blossoms in a natural setting. Photographers are drawn to the scene for the sharp contrast between the vibrant orange bracts of the flower and the iridescent plumage of the sunbirds. The subjects vary slightly, featuring Purple-rumped Sunbirds and a Common Tailorbird engaging with the plant through feeding or perching. One image captures a dynamic moment of water splashing from the bird's beak. A group of images focusing on avian behavior at tropical flora.
How to shoot it
📍 Where to shoot
Shooting takes place outdoors in tropical regions (West Bengal, India; Vietnam). Locations include gardens and natural areas with banana plants.
🕐 Time of day
Most shot between 13:00 and 16:00 (39% of frames)
Based on 28 frames with camera data. Camera clock time; the time zone is unknown.
The best time to shoot is from noon to 16:00, when bird activity is highest and light is sufficient.
🗓️ Season
Most shot in: November, July, June
Based on 28 frames with camera data
Shooting is possible year-round, but peak activity occurs during the summer months (June–August) and November.
🎒 Gear
A telephoto lens with a focal length of 350 to 800 mm is required for working at a distance. High ISO (up to 4000) and short shutter speed (1/1600 s) are critical for capturing motion.
Cameras and lenses the authors used (10)
Nikon D7500 5Canon EOS R3 4Canon EOS 80D 3Nikon D500 3Nikon NIKON Z 8 3AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR 7Canon RF 100-500/4.5-7.1 L IS USM 4NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S 3200.0-500.0mm f/5.6 2Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM 2
🧳 What to bring
Light clothing, closed-toe shoes, water, insect repellent, rain cover for equipment, spare batteries.
⚙️ Settings
Shutter 1/1000 (1/3200 – 1/500)Aperture f/6.3 (f/5.6 – f/7.1)ISO 1400 (640 – 4000)Focal length 480 mm (356 – 516)
Based on 27 frames with camera data. Median and 10-90% range across the idea frames.
Key parameter is shutter speed: use 1/500 s or faster (median 1/1000 s) to freeze motion. Aperture f/5.6–f/7.1, ISO 640–4000.
⚠️ Good to know
Birds are not afraid of the observer's presence, allowing close-up shots. It is important to follow ethics: do not disturb the birds or interfere with their natural behavior during feeding.
📈 How the idea developed
works uploadedshare of all site uploads, per 100k
The date is when the file was uploaded to the site. The chart counts works assigned to the idea.
✅ How to repeat it
- Use continuous shooting to capture moments of active wing flapping or beak dipping into the bud.
- Watch for contrast: the bright orange-red color of the banana flower effectively highlights the bird's plumage against the green background.
✨ Interesting facts
- 🏆 How the best frame was shot: Nikon NIKON Z 8, NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S, 1/3200, f/4.5, ISO 3200, 400 mm
- 🌃 46% of authors used ISO 1600 and above: you will need a fast lens and a low-noise camera
- 🥇 1 works reached the finals, 1 won. Best contest: 10th 35AWARDS 2025
- 👤 Most frequent authors: Kannan Chinnathambi 4Siddhartha Roy Choudhury 3Anandhu M 2Dipankar Bakshi 2Ritam Biswas 2
- 🌍 Authors by country: 🇮🇳 IN 26🇸🇬 SG 4🇻🇳 VN 2🇧🇭 BH 1
Some tips are prepared by AI from the idea description, photos and their EXIF. Check the rules and access to places before you travel.
Works
These lists are generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies. Photos are shown in random order, and selections are refreshed twice a day. This section is made for exploring photos and does not claim 100% accuracy. The lists include photos that previously participated in contests that are already completed.
