Hummingbird Adventures #5

ducbucln, your photos are wonderful. I did see a hummingbird bathe in a full blown rose once, but I was bent over dead-heading and afraid to move, plus I didn't have a camera! Seeing your picture helps me remember the moment. :-)

Fantastic photos, duc

What a special treat to be able to see that!!! Thank you for sharing. Great job on the pics.

Where's SW? I haven't see her post in a few days.

She's taken a coupl'a falls. I hope she's ok.

OMG. Does anyone have a phone number so we can check on her?

I'm okay. Just had a rough week full of Dr. appt.s for Mom.
Slept since the weather was lousy and cold yesterday. Nasty clouds came over and sneered at us. Not a drop of rain. Didn't see any hummers.
Although I'm really happy to see the ones ducbucin posted. Never imagined I'd see a hummer bathe on a wet leaf. Bathing in a rose is something a fairy would do no doubt, KC, what a lovely memory photo!
Been out working in the garden, I'm so far behind. I do have my camera in my pocket and have got some good shots to share later on. I'm supposed to be resting right now. LOL!
WIB,
SW

Got this one of a hummer this morning.

This appears to be Zippy.

Not positive, but this may have been Sweetie Pie.

Cropped to try to see markings, not sure if Zippy or Sweetie Pie.

This makes it clearer. It is definitely Zippy.

This might be Sweetie Pie. Those hummers were so funny. The ladies would come in and if one feeder was in use, they'd use the other, or wait until the old red one was free.

Now this one I think is the Trickster. Why do you ask? Well first he went to the old red feeder, and when I pushed down on the button to take the photo, the little hummer flew over to the new feeder. The little beast did this several times, like it was taunting me. Definitely the Trickster. Glad to know it's still around. LOL!

Sorry guys, got knocked off the computer by an inopportune series of phone calls.
I don't know what Zoom did, but both times he showed up while I was out there, Zippy chased him off. The second time I was in the middle of an aerial battle, too fast to focus the camera on. I just stood still and waited for them to pass. It was safer that way. LOL!
I thought it unusual that the girls would share the feeders but Zoom was driven off.
This is the last and probably the best photo of the day.
Walk In Beauty!
SW

I posted this in Bird Watching, but wanted to share it here too. This female Anna's hummingbird looks like her bill is extended, but it's actually part of her wing on the lower part. She looked so sweet cleaning herself in the rain.

Awww...

Another beautiful photo, Duc.

Glad all is well with you SW, I was concerned and beautiful photos. I'm trying to get my jay, oriole and hummers posted here but never have the camera at hand.

Great shot ducbucln! I love watching them preen. Glad you're doing okay SW, and I'm happy to see the continuing adventures of your hummer gang :-)

Duc, another great photo, she is so sweet as she preens and gets all pretty again. I really am glad that you are sharing them with us on this thread.
KC, what is worse is to have the camera in hand, get the best shots of the day, and realize it was on the wrong setting, so the photos come out blurry instead of crisp. You live, you learn.
Thanks guys, I'd missed posting, but was sooo tired. I feel better now, for resting over the weekend.
sunnyg, how is your gang doing?
WIB,
SW

They fledged :-). I am so relieved they made it, as the nest was really exposed and in danger of being pruned by the gardeners. One the day they fledged, I went out there and one was already gone and the other was on a nearby branch. Needless to say, I spent hours out there snapping photos and taking short video clips as well. I posted the link to the baby's liftoff above, but just in case you didn't see it, here it is (I hope I'm not being a pest posting it again...I am just a tad thrilled about seeing liftoff LOL)
http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt261/quique_2009/?action=view¤t=170.flv

Here's the last feeding I saw:

...and then down the hatch it goes. The baby flew shortly after this feeding.

Who me? Not upset at all. Makes me smile! ^_^
WIB,
SW

Sunny, I'm so happy for you that you were privileged to see the fledgling fly off. Your photos are just adorable and only a few people are lucky enough to see what you have and have pictures of it. Wow.

You have a GRANDHUMMER!

Thanks Duc, it really has been an amazing experience this year, as I'd never seen a nest before.

LOL Ima ;-).

SW, any further developments on the potential nest in your greenhouse?

Here's one of my favorite pics of this nest of babies...all sleepy on a warm afternoon:

Oh my sunny, I'm drooling over that last photo. I have 20-30 hummers here in the summer and about 15 right now yet I've never found a nest. Enjoy those photos and please share them with as many people as possible. That's the best way you can help these beautiful birds.

They look like they barely still fit..LOL!

Wonderful pictures, I've enjoyed everyone. Really enjoyed the video too, I've never seen that happen with hummers. Watched a Chickadee nest on my deck once, years ago, that was fun too.

sunnyg, they'll be back to visit. I checked for a nest, but didn't spot any. I don't think they liked the activity in the gh. I am relieved because we still have fans in there.
Watching babies would be fine, I'm glad you had the chance, and you shared with us. Something really special about being brought into their world.
I have seen some activity out back. They may be reusing the one in the old cabin that was posted on the first link of this thread. I do know that they always enter from one direction, and usually leave in another, at least Zippy does. Sweetie Pie goes the other direction. Don't know where Zoom is today. I think I saw him once, but if it was him he was driven off by the girls again.
They are such fascinating little critters.
My first view of one today. : P

Is that Sweetie Pie?

Same bird, better photo, didn't Sweetie Pie have a red mark under her chin? This one has a red mark on the side of it's neck. Who is this strange hummer?

Same bird, different view, but I still can't tell.

Best photo of the day. I see a red feather on the side of his neck. Or is it just me?
Tired for now,
I think that they are spending time on the eggs, and their visits to the feeders are less frequent.
I also know that they can fly between the patio roof slats, which are 1" apart. Amazing! I couldn't believe the stealth attack on the feeder from that direction. Couldn't tell which one it was.
WIB,
SW

Cute pictures Singing Wolf!

One of my Anna's was enjoying the flowers on my Carolina Jasmine vines.

Another one.

I was in the courtyard yesterday working on a rehab because of fig vine roots. I have had bronchitis so it was a slow go. I have had hummingbird nest the last three years. I probably had them before that but just was not aware. Any way, I was sitting in my chair, resting, and I heard the familiar sound. Once you have heard it you will always recognize it. I just sat there and listened and they showed me where their new nest way. It is about half complete and after seeing that one I spotted another one about 10 feet away. They are further away from the edge of the upstairs patio so I guess I will need to get a better camera with a super zoom lens. The weather report for tomorrow is high wind and Thursday snow down to 3500. We are at 3800. Now I have to scramble and come up with an idea to facilitate covering about 500 plants......Maybe I will hire a helicopter to hover over the house and keep the cold air away. Best to all of you.

Beautiful pictures duc!!

Good luck with that white stuff, sk. We had some this morning, but it didn't stick. Yeah!

Thank you Sally.

Skwinter, we've had that cold, high wind for two days now and I'm freezing in the house! I think the wind off our lake is usually harder, but yesterday it sounded like our roof would come off at any time. It was 37 here this morning and I was happy I covered several plants last night. Hope you made out better.

I believe this Rufous is still molting.

Great photos duc! I really admire your camera! I admit to having a case of (Gasp!) camera envy! LOL!
I'm glad you posted some, because I went on a field trip yesterday, and it's so windy and cold today, I doubt I'll be able to get any photos of the hummers. I really love seeing all the details on the hummers feathers in that first photo! Great job!
Sally, glad you were able to track down the nest site. Oh, how I envy you too! Just too many places to check out here. I'll stay alert for hummer activity, though.
You guys stay warm, keep your plants covered, and hope this weather moves through quickly.
WIB,
SW