Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hummingbirds

I finally got a few pretty good hummingbird photos.   My feeder is right outside my sliding door, so it's easy to keep an eye on.  There's one bird, the one in these photos, who has taken over this feeder and won't let any other birds near it.  I guess it's pretty common for these birds to be territorial.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, I think
 
 Standing Guard

I have a camellia tree right nearby that's just starting to bloom.  When it's in full bloom I'll take a picture of it and show you, it's so pretty.  This bird perches in the tree and watches the feeder.  As soon as another hummingbird comes near, I hear this loud humming, and it's dueling hummers.  He always wins.  He takes a drink of the nectar, and goes back to his observation perch in the tree.  I didn't get any photos of the duels, they are way too fast for me and my camera!


 
I like this one - it shows his tail feathers.

Here's a photo of him hovering in the air with all his feathers spread, unfortunately it's blurry.   But still a keeper for me at this point.

I'm still working with this camera and sometimes I guess right, and sometimes I guess wrong.  I'm getting more and more photos I like, but it's an uphill battle.  This camera is an Olympus Stylus with 10X Optical Zoom.  It got it at Costco, and it's not fancy or expensive, but I've never had a camera with different settings.  This one has a few different settings, and then some settings within settings.  I've seen already how different the settings can make the photo look.  So, my photos are a work in progress.  By the time I'm on the road and have some great places to photograph, I should be ready.


This photo, if you click on it, shows his amazing red fluorescent throat feathers.

From me and Katie, have an amazing Thursday everyone!  : )

7 comments:

  1. Took me over a month to get a decent picture of our hummer, who by now is heading for Central America for the winter, had a friend from Fla tell me that's where a lot of them go, making stops for "fuel" on the way down. Pretty interesting. Be safe out there, Sam & Donna.

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  2. I only saw hummingbirds once in Utah, there were so many of them sucking from the feeder at the inn we stayed, they were absolutely amazing to watch! I don't think we get them here, in New Jersey, at least I never seen one here so far.

    It's so funny how we all plan for the RV days! Just last night, as my hubby took out the down blanket (it's cold here at night), he said we should buy a new one. I told him "No, let's keep it for another 4 yrs, then buy new bedding for the RV." :)

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  3. I have never been able to get a decent picture of my hummers. They definitely are territorial, but I think it is a lot of show and they don't actually hurt each other.

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  4. my sister-in-law in Keremeos, British Columbia..is the hummingbird queen!..I swear she 'hogs em all'!!..shake your tail feather!..nice shots!

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  5. I'd be very shocked if that was a ruby throated hummer in California. Can't tell for sure, but I'd guess an Anna's would be more likely or a couple of other species. :) Post some more pictures! :)

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  6. Rufus hummingbirds are the ones that hog the feeder, we usually have one or two every summer.

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  7. I love your pictures. Hummers are very hard to get pictures of unless you have the equipment for it. You did a good job. Stay safe.

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