Nancy Tom Wins Eastside Audubon Photo of the Month for July
Photo Details
623mm | Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec | ISO: 40,000 | Aperture: f/8
Nancy Tom is the Eastside Audubon Photo of the Month winner for July, recognized for her dramatic image of a Rufous Hummingbird feeding a fledgling in her backyard.
“I didn’t realize exactly what I was seeing until I uploaded the photos that night,” Nancy said. “I thought one bird was being bombed—hummingbirds are extremely territorial—but it turned out to be a parent feeding its young.”
Nancy took the photo while shooting from her deck in Sammamish. She often sets up her tripod for a few hours when activity picks up in her yard. This time, her patience paid off. The moment unfolded quickly, with an adult Rufous flying in, positioning, and delivering food to a fledgling perched on a shaded branch.
She used an OM-1 Mark II camera with an OM 150–400mm lens and a 1.4x teleconverter. The final image was taken at 623mm, 1/4000 sec, ƒ/8, and ISO 40000. Nancy noted that the tall Western Red Cedars in her yard limited the light during the shot, which influenced her settings.
Beyond photography, Nancy is transforming her yard to support local wildlife. “I’m making the switch to more native plants or those that appeal to hummingbirds, whether feeding them or providing cover for nesting,” she said. “And it seems it is working!”
To See More of Nancy Tom’s Work
For those interested in exploring more of Nancy Tom’s photography, visit her Instagram page or her Flickr gallery.
About the Eastside Audubon Photograph of the Month Award
The Photo of the Month award was instituted to recognize the work of the Photo Group Members. The group members meet monthly to show their latest photos and videos as well as share their knowledge of photography and wildlife. To attend the meetings, please join the group’s announcement list.