Hummingbird Adventures 12

Things where awhirling on the last page of this thread. Which was getting a bit long, so it time to move on to this new page in our Hummer Adventures. I highly recommend if you are new to this page that you go back to the beginning and see how far we have come, and what started it all.

This is where we came from: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/998917/

It's almost summer, and many of the Hummers are reaching their summer homes. What's going on in your neck of the woods?
As always, this thread is for anyone who wants to post a photo of a hummer, tell about an experience they had with a hummer, or just hang back and see what's going on with other people's hummer's. This isn't about the quality of the photo as much as it is about sharing the experience. Sometimes we go off on slight tangents, that take us in new directions. We chat, and it's okay to do so. We have a lot of fun, and sometimes we get silly (must be that fermented nectar, eh?), but we always look forward to sharing that special photo, or story of our hummer friends. Enjoy!
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

New page, and I finally got a few decent photos. I would have gotten more but they are still being wary. Not a great photo but it appears to be Sweetie Pie.

Finally, she approaches the feeder.

Then she stuffs her face in there.

The favored perch. Believe this is Zippy.

Waited so long for someone else to show up I fell asleep. LOL!
Opened my eyes and was able to get this one photo of a BCH.
Last photo of the day, too.
WIB,
SW

Glad they finally settled down some SW. Mine are still being shy, zip in and zip out.

Linda....that statue is precious. Poor little thing is saying, "I've got the ball and no one to play with, sigh"

Cute pictures SW!! Don't you just love it when they sit on a perch?

We were kept busy with lots and lots of new babies yesterday. I trapped over 50 hummers, but we just banded 35 of them and the rest already had bands. I was surprised that most of them were females, but that's good. Maybe we'll have lots more next year. The good thing was that they were all healthy and free of any obvious diseases.

This is one of my favorite photos. It shows all the yellow pollen on the bill.

Seem to have several young ones around right now and they are very funny. One episode: BCH sitting on a branch near the feeder - young Anna's male furiously buzzes, I guess trying to chase him off - BCH turns his head and says brrrrr - young one flies for his life. LOL Boys are the same everywhere. There are also a lot of display flights going on right now. I sometimes see five hummers outside the window at once, but in constant motion, buzzing each other and 'protecting' the feeder or their favorite plant. Very busy time.

I'm really glad you're having lots of fun with your hummers KC. There never seems to be a dull moment when we watch them. Wouldn't you love to have their energy?

KC, I love watching their aerial acrobatics! I guess that's why I've devoted so much time to them. They relax me, and make me laugh during a stressful time in my life. And as duc, can tell you, if you watch them long enough they have their own personalities.
Jonathan update! I am absolutely envious of his new camera. I am going to tell DH that is the kind I want. I am so impressed, and he could help me learn how to use it. He showed me some photos he'd taken last night. I was so impressed with the detail and clarity. He was able to catch birds in flight, he was able to take good photos of the moon, he was able to take a great photo of a hawk from the window of a car on the freeway. I wouldn't have to tell DH to stop! (Good argument for the camera! Must remember!) My best photo comes out looking like his worst. He is so talented.
I don't want him posting his photos on the web, until he can get his stuff copywrited. He is hoping to become a professional. Does anyone know of a good website for that? I'd hate to see Jonathan's photos used without his permission.
My Dad (trois), always hated seeing his photos used without the publisher paying him for their use, or giving him credit, or worse yet, claiming it was their photo. The whole thing disgusted Dad, and that is one of the reasons he liked DG so much. All of his photos were copywrited.
Gray day today, and haven't seen a single hummer. Must be like the bees and don't fly until it warms up a bit. I am surprised not to see some at least enjoying the gh.
Maybe you'd know, duc? So you've been banding h.birds again! Gosh, your earlier description still makes me smile. Now I'm smiling again! Good news that they were all healthy. Makes sense you'd catch more females, they do a lot of work bringing up babies. The guys are all the same. It's all about territory and posturing. I do admit, to seeing but mostly hearing armed conflict, beak to beak. Think aerial swordfighting, it's hilarious. Especially, the time I saw Zoom deliberately pulled one of the BCH's tailfeathers. He didn't pull it out, but he dinged it. NAI call them warrior birds for a reason. LOL!
duc, I love that pollen coated beak. I can't wait to show DH. Thanks for posting it! Are you getting any sun today? Is anyone getting any hummer photos?
Sally how about your hummers?
Anyone else?
Well, I'm going to try to find some, if the clouds ever break.
WIB
SW

SW, what kind of camera did Jonathan get? Guess I missed that posting. I'm happy for him and I know he must be enjoying himself with that new toy. It is so addicting though and I'm finding that I don't have all the extra time to do the other things like gardening or letter writing. As for copyright and posting, you can have your photos here say "copyright", but I'm pretty certain that any photo placed on the computer can be copied and with photo editing programs you can erase the copyright symbol (which is illegal).

By the way, it's cloudy once again with some sun in between. We need rain so bad, but it's still passing over us and heading for the higher mountains.

SW, awesome photos, girl. I love the last one most especially. Look at that spine angle. Awesome catch. Keep on smiling!

Copyrights? I am especially fond of the one with the large lettering here at "The Garden." I can't imagine anyone wanting to purloin one of my photos, so it's actually ok either way. But I can surely imagine someone who is a pro or up-and-coming pro wanting to protect their images.

Hummies are hiding around here with the wind and grey skies, also. But I did see our resident hawk at the hospital.

Linda

Funny you should ask. Finally caught the shyest one.

Doing some serious backpedaling here. LOL

Better one.

The BCH was the shy one today, wouldn't sit still long enough.

Good job, Sis!

Great job Sally! I sure miss my Rufous' but it looks like they're happy with you.

Awww, Sally! Great job. I'm so happy for you! I know how hard it is. I changed my photo area again, so I'm sitting further from the feeders in these photos, but I was finally able to catch a couple of the illusive hummers yesterday out feeding on the B.fly bush. Was really hard to get these photos, especially with the windy cold gray day. But I did it!

Strange little beastie, usually only seen after dark. Sure seems hungry!

View from the other side of the bush. Just teasing y'all! LOL!
These are fun little LED glow in the dark yard toys. The guys at the bee barn even like seeing them when they get in late at night. Will ask Jonathan to take a photo to share with his camera. His takes great night photos.
I really found these down at the WG pharmacy and couldn't resist the colorful toys. These are solar charged, and change colors too.
Thought you'd get a kick out of them.

OMG!!! They look like ghosts, SW!!!

duc,
I had to catch him and make him write it down, but after seeing some of the images he's captured I think I want to get a Canon EO5 (or S not sure with his writing, LOL!,) Rebel T1i.
I'd be tickled if someone actually thought I took a good enough photo that they wanted a copy of it.
Dad was particular about it, and if you knew him, you knew how passionate he was about photography. It used to be a lot harder to get good photos without the digital camera. It wasn't even a dream when Dad started taking photos. Remember I used to help Dad in his Dark room. We're talking about the 60's, until he got his first digital. It was expensive too. Real film that had to be developed. Working with the developer, and the negatives that gave different effects. We have it so easy these days. At touch of a finger and without the noxious chemicals.
So even with my point and click I can take lots of photos, and once a while one will even be good. Just barely caught this BCH.

Thanks Twin, I just couldn't resist playing a joke, especially since the cold was keeping the hummers away from their normal (giggle) haunts. LOL!
Got some more coming.
While the boys are so colorful and get so much attention, you know that I like the girls. Sweetie Pie will always have a special place in my heart, but Zippy is so sweet and not afraid of me at all. So I was happy to see her today. : )

Here she is again, maybe it's the gracefulness of her flight. Such a lady!
The BCH's seem to be more agile at twisting and turning, backwinging and ducking. They do an excellent imitation (that I almost posted but deleted instead) of a speeding bullet!

On this one her spine is curved. Really, sometimes they make me think of dolphins in flight. Maybe it's the grin!
Although she looks startled in this photo.

Zippy settled down and got a good loooong drink.

Now she bobs up to check and see if anyone has seen her!

A little backwing going on there. She left right after this photo.

But then this BCH showed up.

I guess he thought the other side of the feeder would be tastier.

Looky who else showed up for a quick visit! Zooom!

Best photo of the day, BCH again. Look at that beady little eye! LOL!
I'm happy they are coming back to the feeder. But I still have camera envy. Wait til you see what Jonathan can do with his camera! I'll show you as soon as I figure out how to get it from his camera to DG. I know, I can log onto DG on HIS laptop and send them. They will all have his name in the text box.
WIB!
SW

Thank you everyone!! SW I love your toys, I have solar powered lights but no toys. Nice pictures you took today. I have to download my camera to our other computer....it's full!!

Sally you did good today. Do you think that duc's visiting h.birds ended up at your place. What a nice thought!
Well I'd best get to bed. Jonathan took those photos for me, but it's late. We'll figure out how to post them tomorrow.
Dreaming of rainbow hummers tonight.
WIB!
SW

SW, cute "ghost" (it looked like that to me too). Your photos are all precious to all of us. I have photos with that "dolphin" look too and thought the same thing you did.

I was just telling you I missed my Rufous hummers and late yesterday one showed up. I haven't seen it today but at least I know it must still be around here somewhere. All my Orioles really are taking the feeders over, but they should be moving on in the next few weeks so my hummers can return. I posted these photos in Western Hummers, but had to put them here too. Hope you don't mind, I just get excited and know you'll understand.

Another one.

Me? Mind? Naw, I lost my mind years ago. Have you found it? I'm still looking for it. LOL!
Your Rufous hummers are so pretty. I just love their colors. So bright and happy looking. So they are still around. Always a pleasure to see your photos and hear from you, duc.
Speaking of which, I'm going to grab a bottle of water, and a book along with my camera and go see if I can get some hummer photos today. Also Jonathan took some of the "Ghost Hummers" last night for us to share.
More soon.
WIB,
SW

SW, keep on smilin', girl!

LOL, ROFLw/MBSP

Linda

duc....I'd be excited too, if I could take pictures like that. They are so gorgeous!