For One Last Time...Hummers

These are the last of the shots, I promise!

More Rain-Soaked Hummer Shots

I didn't have the time to show more hummer shots on Friday, so here are a few more:




















Thanks for stopping by!

Soaking in the Rain

I came home after work yesterday to a gentle rain. As I walked past the kitchen window and peered out to the hummer feeder, as I always do, I caught this guy taking a bath in the rain. I grabbed my camera, made a makeshift tripod out of the sink, with a 12 pack of Diet Coke and an inverted pie pan, opened the window and shot away...



He seemed to really enjoy himself, as he closed his eyes and soaked it all in...







He made sure he washed his delicates...







And under his arms...






He really seemed to be enjoying himself...






He guarded the feeder constantly, even though he was soaked...






It looks as if he is trying to catch raindrops...






Shooting the other feeder made for a nice bokeh in the nice drizzle...

Meet Big Jewel

I've said alot about hummers lately and want to introduce "Big Jewel", the dominant male for this week at my feeder. He is a juvy, since his ruby throat is not yet fully developed. It seems the adult males have already moved on, so sentry duty has been taken over by this guy, guarding the feeder from other hummers, claiming it as his territory. I call him "Big Jewel" because from a distance, you get quite a big shine from his throat, compared to the other juvy males with throats not so rubified, if that is a word.



Here he is at an angle which does not show the metallic shine on his gorget (throat).



Time is ticking as the hummer migration has started. I hope to have them for a few more weeks, but the temperature around here has fallen...

Cheery Day

Who doesn't like sunflowers? I just love em... I line my fence bordering my yard with them because of how they look against the weathered wood grain.



The sunflowers attract many things, like Butterflies, Bees, and Goldfinches. The finches just can't get enough of them and neither can I!

Backyard Hummer Encounters

My newest photography obsession is trying to capture the hummingbirds coming to the feeder while it is being handheld. I have 6 hummers in total, which should make for frequent visits, but there are other feeders next door, so when I attempt this trick, it seems the only good time is at dusk when they are filling up for the night before bedtime and hit all the feeders in the area.

My partner-in-crime Becky is attempting to lure in the hummer above. This is the only shot I have, but the feeding attempts have been successful all weekend. The experience is something like this: First thing you hear and feel is the "hum". It's like a tornado in your ear and at first you are startled, because you don't see them coming. Usually, they inspect you first, so staying still is absolutely required, which is a tall order with all the excitement, let me tell you! So, you are standing there, being as still as possible, and they hover so close, that you feel the wind on your face, and you are not all that sure of exactly where they are until you focus on this lil thing within a few inches of your head. After inspection, it will decide if it is dangerous to take a drink. If you are still enough, it will land cautiously. The vibration is now on your fingers as you are holding the feeder, and the hummers wings are still in motion. If you are lucky enough, you are face to face with it and realize just how small this creature is with it's big eyes looking back at you... It is truly amazing!

Most hummers that actually come in for a drink are juvies who are inexperienced and take the risk.

Backyard Hummers

I've been concerned all summer about not seeing any Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in my yard...



It took all summer, but I finally have the Hummers!!!!



As a matter of fact, I have 4 that visit.




Yesterday, I spent the afternoon sitting under the feeder from about 6 feet away to get these shots.




My next venture is to get them acclimated to me, so that I can hold the feeder as they feed.



It's my favorite time of migration, when the hummers compete for food in my yard.



They protect the feeders from other hummers.



Here is a shot where a male hummer is chasing off another, and I happen to catch this one flying at me, and chattering at the enemy hummer...