Ruby-throated Hummingbird Portrait

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

My favorite backyard bird!




and 1 more...

POOP!!!!

Hand-feeding our Hummers

Thats me feeding the hummers!  I love this time of year!

This is my partner Becky feeding the hummers!

If you've never tried, here are a few tips.  Spend alot of relaxing time close to your feeders, and do this all summer long.  The hummers will get used to you being there and will feed eventually. Be patient!  I usually don't attempt handholding the feeder until about September, just before they migrate.  The most bold ones are the juvies.  When you are seeing them come to the feeder is the time to start trying.  Don't move! It's a bit startling at first when they get close, but just be still.  The buzz in your ear is half the thrill!  Good Luck!

A Few More Owl Shots-Flight Shots

A Few More Owl Shots-Head Shots

Click any photo to see large.

It's Been A Slow Summer For Wildlife

I've been going thru a bit of a dry spell with my wildlife photography obviously. It's been sooo long since my last post. Over the past few months, I've been looking forward to the fawns and kits and babies in general to pass my time through late spring into fall. That hasn't happened. I've seen just 2 fawns with no good shots of them. I haven't seen any fox kits, nor a raccoon baby or much of anything in these recent months. But, my luck might have changed for the better, given that I ran into my old friend the Barred Owl on Friday. It's been since early spring since I've spent any time with this guy. He has disappeared for the most part, all summer long. Luckily, as I cruised his area on Friday, I happened across a migrant bird calling in the distance so I thought I might park the car and wait for a closer view. While waiting ole Mr. Barred gave a contact call deep into the timber. I gave out my own impression of a barred owl call back to him and he responded. We talked for quite a bit until he showed himself about 10 minutes later. I was very happy to see him. His ole lady showed up too, but at a distance. She wouldn't get in close, which is weird for her, but maybe she's protecting her juvies? I can only hope!

Click on photo to enlarge.

Caption Contest Winner-Colleen!

Caption Contest!, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Check out the comments for all of the submissions. All were very clever! Thanks to all of you witty peeps who participated! I laughed alot!

The winning entry was by Colleen! She wrote: "Lord I apologize and please be with the starving pygmies down in New Guinea. Amen." For those of you who don't "get it"? Larry the Cable Guy, more famous for the phrase: "Git-R-Done" also said the above phrase and used it as the title of his comedy album. So there you have it. Colleen wins because I laughed the loudest!

Butt Heads

Butt Heads, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Out of the ordinary for me to take photos of captive animals, but I decided to snap a few pics while chasing a Cattle Egret who settled in with these cows. The cows gave me a photo op I couldn't resist!