Gotcha!

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While dead-heading American Basket flowers, fussing over transplants deposited during recent heavy rains, and musing about changes desired, I spied a female Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri. She perched on a defoliated branch, high up in a neighbor’s declining tree. She sat a bit, zoomed over her territory, then sat again and continued to observe her realm. I attempted a photo while she was still, but she moved each time I pressed the camera’s button. Smears aren’t acceptable.

Finally, despite perspiration and a slightly aching lower back, my patience was awarded…gotcha! Ms. Hummer sat for a quick photo, photographer was chuffed!

I gardened further, then saw movement at a Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora, which blooms under the increasing canopy of a young Red Oak tree. Ms. Hummer winged gracefully from flower to flower, I followed her feeding with my eyes–all three.

Hummingbirds are now birdie-zooming around the garden. Tiny territorial terrors jealously guard food sources and run off competition, all in preparation for autumn migration southward. The activity is all very dramatic and thrilling, affording this observer a front-garden seat to exciting avian acrobatics, occasional decent photos, and profound moments in the garden, appreciating its seasonal happenings.

24 thoughts on “Gotcha!”

  2. Our ruby throated variety are visiting flowers and zooming around like crazy. Soon as the females and juveniles get going more and more, there will be fights over cherished feeding areas. For now I watch them enjoy the the native honeysuckle vine where I can see them up close. Occasionally they peek in at me too.

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      • Oh, that’s interesting. When we were in Costa Rica, some of the places set up feeding stations and there were just so many birds to choose from, it was relatively easy to choose a bird to photograph. They’re also very used to being around people, so they weren’t so skittish. Fun to watch!

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  8. I used to think the best shots of hummingbirds were those that captured them in a ‘still’ pose, but I’ve come to appreciate those beating wings! A little blur is such a part of observing them, it’s only right to capture it in photos, and you did well!

    I’ve yet to see any of these birds this year; I’d see more if I put out feeders or visited areas rich in their preferred flowers. Our Turk’s caps finally are putting on a show, so I might come across some.

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  9. I used to think the best shots of hummingbirds were those that captured them in a ‘still’ pose, but I’ve come to appreciate those beating wings! A little blur is such a part of observing them, it’s only right to capture it in photos, and you did well!

    I’ve yet to see any of these birds this year; I’d see more if I put out feeders or visited areas rich in their preferred flowers. Our Turk’s caps finally are putting on a show, so I might come across some.

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    • Thanks, Linda. One of the shots I rejected for the post, as the bird wasn’t quite as clear, was a shot of one of the unopened yucca blooms, just beyond the beating wing! It was cool to see that!

      I just commented on your heron post, then received a message that the comment couldn’t be posted. I think the WP elves are messing with me again. I’ll wait a bit and comment again later. You might check your spam and see if it ended up in there. Sigh…

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  10. That second capture is precious, Tina. And your descriptions of hummingbird behavior so spot-on. I always tell them that there is enough nectar in the flowers and feeders for everyone, and not to chase one another, but nobody ever listens to me. 😊

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