Happy Friday everyone! For two days I've been after this ruby-throated hummingbird. This is all I have to show for my efforts. :/ Feeders are placed strategically in two different areas in my yard; one under the safe branches of a large crepe myrtle and the other on a shepherd's hook at the edge of the house. A couple of times he has flown towards me at rapid speed getting within 5 feet of my face. Sometimes I don't even realize it's him right away because even though I'm watching for him he startles me. He also appears to be a bug at first. If I can't focus my eyes that fast I can't expect any more from Mabel II and the Big Guy (100-400mm lens). Maybe he'll get used to me yet and realize I mean no harm. It's astonishing how fast he is!
In other news, yesterday I was featured on a web site called Pocket Change Shopping Blog. Thanks to Susan K. for working patiently with me while I got my bio and photo ready. Here is an excerpt from their site:
"The Pocket Change Shopping Blog is an oasis for shoppers trudging through the internet. You get the best shopping advice from our guides and research, whether you're looking for a stylish women's ruffle scarf to complete your outfit or the best classic white wicker loveseat for your patio."
They even have an electronics section and talk about DSLR lenses, among other products. If you have a moment, please check them out.
Enjoy the weekend everyone and God bless!
Entered in A Rural Journal's Your Sunday Best
44 comments:
Great last picture Gail and the other two work too, showing just how fast those little wings hum along.
congrats on being featured! love that sweet bird you used for it. :)
i like your 2nd hummingbird shot the best! such a cutie!
Lord-love-a-duck, these are outstanding, they knocked me off my chair and if you were wanting to get better..... HOW???? You are there! Gal, these are superb shots.
If you want to get them use to you, take all feeders down accept for one. Then go sit on the patio holding the feeder...that is right, hold it at face level. They will come, it will just take a bit when they get hungry they will come. I did it last year and to have 10 hummers flying all about your head is awesome, the hum of the wings, you can feel the wind from them, the chipping sounds they make, Incredible. Do this for a few days and once they know you are okay, then hang one feeder up and sit with camera in hand or tripod and click away.
I just put out another feeder as they are now stocking up for the long flight and getting very possessive of the feeders.
I think these are absolutely fabulous images, Gail! I like "strategic" placement of feeders....mine are next to windows, but the background is crappy on one and the other one has been moved too close to the window, I think. (I moved it because we had our old maple tree pruned way down during the winter. I was trying to keep the feeder out of all-day sun.) I especially love the first and last images!
Not much room for improvement here, Gail: awesome hummer shots! We get hummingbirds here, some of them all year long; one type is quite aggressive, making me glad that they are as small as they are. What if they were as big as pigeons?
I'll have to check out the Pocket Change site soon.
Well...I think these photos are amazing.
And as difficult as it is to capture hummingbirds in flight,
my experience is that it's even rarer to see them perched.
Congratulations; good bio!
I think you did a wonderful job capturing these beautiful birds!! My SIL has let me borrow three of her lenses...I'm so excited to try for some shots like these ;)...Nice feature on Pocket Change.
Happy Friday to you, too!
Those lil guys are sooo sooo fast, so I can certainly understand the focus problem. All 3 pics are awesome, but my fave is the 2nd... look how crisp & clear his/her lil head is & I love the blur of those flappin wings, not to mention the itty bitty teeny lil claws! LoL!
You captured him/her beautifully, so kick back, relax & enjoy! =)
These are fabulous Gail! You don't know how good a photographer you are. Congrats on acknowledgement of your awesomeness!
Great shots, especially the last one!
that is quite the challenge getting shots of such a fast little sucker.
And congratulations on getting a guest spot. That's fun!
♥charlotte
I like that last shot!
Congratulations on being featured.
WHAT???.....you say this is all you got.....BUT these are fantastic !!!.....holy crap, as i know how fast they are, i think these are amazing !!
well, I don't know how you could get much better than these, Miss Too Perfect (hee hee). An amazing group of shots and now I am off to check out the Pocket Change Shopping Blog...how fun!!
You captured him beautifully. Don't worry, come mid-September, you'll have so many hummers you'll tire of photographing them and just be mesmerized watching them! I'm going to check out your bio right now. :)
What a capture. It has certainly gone through a lot of patience.
Cheers!!
Awesome pictures of the hummer! Your patience paid off for sure....thanks for sharing. Congrats on being on the website -- I could use that site and will check it out....(Just returned a package today b/c I made an internet shopping mistake..at least it was free return.)
I think Mabel II and the Big Guy did an amazing job on these photographs. I have NEVER gotten a hummingbird picture, so I'll just have to enjoy yours.
Such an exceptional photo of your hummingbird! Love that second one!
Hummingbirds are mysterious, in that you are not allowed a good look at them. Well, now I see close up, and WOW.
Great photos!
Stunning captures, I'd say your time was well rewarded.
Off to check out the links....
Those shots of the hummers are great - I do so want to see one for real!
I DSLRs are available for "pocket change" some people must have very big pockets!
Cheers
Stewart M - Australia
You got some gorgeous photos, Gail! Fantastic colors! I really like the second and third shots! That last one is wonderful! Congratulations on being featured, too!
Your photos today are fantastic, the hummer is so beautiful.
Perfect focus and detail, Gail. You go girl! Off to check out your feature. xo
Great photos Gail! Your time rewarded! These little guys are always so much fun to watch! Have seen many in Massachusetts but hey seem to bypass Florida! maybe it is just to hot! Will check out sites you suggested! Congrats!
Hi Gail, to answer your question about our Common Buzzard (Latin name Buteo buteo). The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) has the same family name of Buteo so although the two hawks are related through DNA they are different species separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Cheers. Phil
Gorgeous! Love these pics!!
BEAUTIFUL pictures Gail!!
It must have been fun "shooting" your hummingbird!! So you are holding the camera and not using a tripod??? You must be extremely steady!!
National Georgraphic quality!!
Fun too!!
AMAZING photos! I guess I need to plant myself outside and try to capture a few of the hummingbirds that hover here.
Wait...it's in the three digit range outside. Guess I'll just enjoy your photos!!
Patience is a virtue and you displayed this beautifully...the pictures are so pretty and PERFECT!
congratulations ...I'll be sure and check it out.
Hugs Gurl..
shug
Wow wow and more wow!
Wow! You got some fine shots of the hummer. Sunny days sure help with that lens.
Wow...amazing captures! Aren't they the cutest little things?!
Wow, stunning shots well captured. Such beautiful birds.
Those picture of that sweet little one, are great. Worth the wait..thanks for hanging out for hours to find this one to share. Aren't they beautiful in color. Love them. Mary.
What fabulous captures! The second one is just so pretty! You had the patience and the result is just so fabulous. Congrats on the feature, proud moment for you.
Have a wonderful sunday :)
Your photos are amazing. I have tried to capture the humming birds at my feeders, but can't get anything close to what you have gotten. They are fast little things aren't they.
Oh my goodness, you must be so pleased with these photos! Love each one of them for different reasons. Beautifully captured.
Nice shots, the second one is just perfect- hummers are so hard to photograph!
your shots are amazing!
beautiful bird - her colors are wonderful
Wow! those colours are incredible! And the detail fantastic! Great shots!
WOW.. I just love these photos. I can sit and watch hummingbirds all day. Such a fascinating bird.
Hugs~
Wow, great photos! Spot-on focus and great colors. You're putting "the big guy" to good use!
You did an amazing job with these Gail!
Each one is magnificent.
Congratulations on being featured at Pocket Change.
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