There I sat, enjoying my dinner, minding my own business, and I heard them arrive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZXLHNFkJxw
The pleasant chirps and hums of the hummingbirds fighting over who gets to drink from the feeder first. Their thin little beaks are so impressive. The birds weigh in at 1/10 of an ounce themselves and consume twice their weight in nectar each day.
Holy crap…think about that for humans! If I weigh 115# (on a really good day) and consume twice my weight per day in martinis, I would be drunk (or dead). Yikes…
Now, where was I? Oh yeah, the hummingbirds –
So yeah, they arrive every spring, and just like clockwork, it happens every year. It is – you got it, my glorious attempts to get photos of the busy speedy little hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds fly at 49 mph!
I have to be fast to catch them in photos. I find I’m rusty at taking nature photos in the spring, after all, I spend much of the winter capturing my slow-moving cats who aren’t quite as hard to capture in photos. I know they’ll eventually nap after bird-watching so I can click away at my leisure.
But not the hummingbirds, they are quick and harder to catch. I’ve learned that they are mostly oblivious to me when I look at them through the window. I don’t know which I enjoy more, watching them do their thing or trying to catch them in photos? They love to stop by to drink our simple sugar liquid mix, especially early in spring when the flowers haven’t bloomed yet. My Mr. is their bartender, and they appreciate his speed at accommodating their needs. Frankly, dear, I do, too…
Me: “Oh, she’s sticking around…quick hand me my camera.”
Mr: “You’re going to scare it if you move too fast.”
Me: “I know…”
Click
Click
Click
Click
Click…pause
She looked around, is it safe to stay? Yep, okay, just one more drink.
And then she moved to the other side and sat…and drank…man she was thirsty…Mr. apparently mixes up some good stuff!
And then she’s gone. She flew off fast to flaunt her wings in a race with her Ruby Throated Mr.
Duh,…you’re just going to have to believe me on that line.
Never fear, while still sitting there in awe, hoping I caught a few fun shots, I thought to myself, as I saw something else appear, “Why not catch a slow moving bug just in case the hummingbird photos aren’t good? Yeah, that’s the ticket.”
It may not have a bird bill.
But I can make it fit the bill…in a photo of sorts, of course.
Post inspiration: Weekly Photography Challenge: Liquid
Ms Shelly, I’ve taken photos of my Hummingbirds for years and still have to have an exceptional day of the right light, time of day and activity. Normally, if I can’t get shutter speeds of 1/800th to 1/1250th, then I am a bird watcher who isn’t taking blurred photos with bad lighting. They are shy here and faster than a blink but they are a wonder. Good luck. g
Thank you for the tips! I caught these with 1/800 through the window. Not great shots, but at least I caught a few for giggle’s sake! Good luck to you, too! You always post great shots of the birds you catch in action!
Great pics! Hummingbirds are so cute. Just curious, what kind of camera do you own?
Thank you! I use a Canon Rebel SXi with it’s out of the box standard lens (with image stabilizer). Thanks for stopping by to check out the post and to comment, nice to hear from you! Happy blogging to you! PS – I loved your post about blogging etiquette! 🙂
Thanks! Glad u checked it out.
Me, too!!
When I saw the bug (mosquito?) I kept rubbing my computer screen, thinking it was here. Instead of there, on your side.
So funny.
Love hummingbirds. We have them here also.
LOL! I do think it’s a female mosquito – that’s so funny you were rubbing your screen! They are fun little birds – PS – nice to hear from you, looks like you’ve been up to lots of fun on your blog!! Take care, stop by again, you’re always welcome here!
Thanks Shelley.
Thanks for the reminder to put my feeder out!!
You’re welcome…PS – I didn’t do this post to ADD to your workload at home!! Maybe you can make a kid do the hanging of the feeder ;-)!
Pff… I’d rather pawn off dishes or laundry and hang the feeder myself!
LOL – OMG – You’re so right – get outside, enjoy the sunshine, let the minions do the work inside!! 🙂
Wish I coulde consume that much and stay hummingbird thin.
LOL! Maybe you can if everywhere you go, you move at 49 mph?? Thanks for stopping by John, always nice to hear from you!
Your b & w photos of the hummingbird are great – I really enjoy looking at them. Did you forget to put up the sign: “Mosquitos: drink here at your own risk – hummingbirds eat mosquitos!”? P.S. Shelley, your post inspired me to write mine today …”
Thank you, Ellen! Yes, that’s a great idea…I’ll have to craft a small sign to hang on the feeders saying just that! Oooooh…I can’t wait to read your post!! I’m glad you found some inspiration from me!
I love this post, Shelley! I had fun reading it. And you took a great shot of the hummingbirds. Good job, Shelley!
Thank you, Winnie! Hummingbirds are fun to watch, and sometimes, I can catch them in action!
You’re welcome, Shelley!