Monday, September 22, 2014

Blessed

Last week I made a quick dash to the local arboretum with the express purpose of photographing butterflies. Instead, I was blessed with a female ruby-throat who guarded her patch of flowers tenaciously. She was so obsessed with protecting her territory that I don't even think she noticed me, since I stood a mere 5 feet from her perch. Below are shots of her preening. I have many more. Oh, so many! I thank God for this beauty and for the opportunity to click to my heart's content.


I know I'm behind in visiting. For whatever reason I cannot seem to get back into the blogging routine which is why I don't like to take breaks. If any of you are on Facebook, please connect with me there (see my badge on the sidebar). Thank you for your patience as I slowly get around to making visits.

Sharing with Anni at


And also Stewart at
Wild Bird Wednesday

This post was chosen by Hilary at The Smitten Image for her Phine Photography category. Thank you, dear girl!!! I am honored.


65 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Absolutely incredible Gail.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Wow...stunning. These are breath taking captures - the details and colours are sensational!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

amazing shots

I'm in awe

-your fanatical, stalking follower
cue weird music

Roan said...

Amazing! I think our hummers are on their way south. Haven't seen one at the feeder in a few days.

Bethany Carson said...

Oh wow! I love how you capture so much detail in her feathers!

Unknown said...

What an incredible opportunity and amazing images - wow!

Irma said...

Hi Gail,
Wow, what an incredibly beautiful pictures.
I am completely speechless.
I wish you a beautiful new week.
Greetings Irma

nookworm said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

Amy Burzese said...

Gail, ditto all above. Simply beautiful and your photography skill is evident.

TexWisGirl said...

fantastic shots! wow!!!!!

rainfield61 said...

In action or not, you always manage to have all these feathered friends sharp in focus.

DeniseinVA said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! 5ft? Fantastic photos Gail. What an incredible beauty!

Debbie said...

they are gorgeous gail!! my thoughts exactly, how lucky are we!!

Anonymous said...

Wow - stunning shots! Well done.

Ruth Hiebert said...

WOW!!! Gorgeous shots.

Jeanne said...

Magnificent!!

Susan said...

What a beautiful blessing! Hummingbirds are magnificent jewels, I adore them. Lovely photos, Gail!

Evelyn S. said...

Again...this is such an amazing photo, Gail! Actually, both photos are amazing, but that first one is unlike any hummer image I've seen before. As for visiting, I'm so far behind I think I'm ahead!

you-wee because said...

Perfect shots, Gail. The first one is award-worthy!

Brian King said...

Awesome shots! Love the fan! I do believe ours are gone for the year. I haven't seen any in a few days.

EG CameraGirl said...

WOW! Unbelievable!

Stephanie said...

Oh my, oh my, OH MY! Gail, these are the prettiest Hummingbird pictures I have seen - amazing!!

Thinking of you! Hugs

Pantherka said...

Stunning shots ... amazing.

Inspired By June said...

As a photographer, I want to be like you when I grow up. A camera in your hands is pure magic, my friend! Wow! You inspire me!

Anonymous said...

I love. The way she spreads her tail feathers to preen. Lucky you to be so close.

Hootin Anni said...

I know I'm here under Hootin' Anni's blog admin...but I wanted to stop by again and send along my thanks for your linking up this week at I'd Rather B Birdin'

Hilary said...

Gayle, these are probably the finest hummingbird images I've ever seen. You have captured some amazing beauty here. Fabulous! I'm so impressed.

Hilary said...

And I just realized that I typed "Gayle" instead of "Gail." Sorry about that.

Oh, and blogging lulls.. they happen to all of us. Worry not. :)

eileeninmd said...

Awesome captures of the hummer, Gail! A beautiful post!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful captures of this little beauty!

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

These are outstanding.
~

Karen said...

Awesome...WOW.
I've been on a blogging break too, and am also finding it hard to get back into it.

Cranberry Morning said...

Simply amazing photographs! Wow!

Shug said...

My goodness.....splendid photography!! Really Gail....these shots are absolutely amazing!! Love, love your work...

Anita Johnson said...

Speechless. (o:

Unknown said...

Fabulous shots!

Ida said...

Oh my stars these are outstanding and just awesome. The detail is breathtaking. What a treat to see these photos.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi GAil What a fantastic shot of this beautiful bird. Butterflies can be photographed another day. I have now safely arrived back from 6 weeks away so have LOTS of editing to do!! Thanks for looking in on my posts while I was away and commenting. I appreciate that very much.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

hope you find your routine again soon. i love hummingbirds. ( :

Stewart M said...

Wonderful pictures - really wonderful!

Are you going to link these to Wild Bird Wednesday?

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Great shots both in this post and the previous ones I have just looked at, Gail. And there is never a need to apologize for not having enough time to read blogs and post to our own. Same happens to all of us and I have had time issues as well.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Oh wow, she is just gorgeous!

Kerry said...

In awwwwwwwwwe! Gorgeous.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

The definition in these photos blows me away Gail!! Wow.

Starla said...

OH. MY. Goodness!!
GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS SHOTS!!

Arija said...

Absolutely fantastic captures with all that luminescence!!! I thank God every day for all the varied blessings that are sent my way.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Magnificent shot

orchid0324 said...

OMG, how amazingly your pictures of hummer♡♡♡ What a wonderful moment to capture, Gail♪

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Andy said...

Spectacular! These photos are good enough for National Geographic!

TexWisGirl said...

congrats on another well-deserved POTW!

Wally Jones said...

You were indeed blessed to be able to watch a flying jewel in action!

And we all are blessed that you shared the experience! Thank you!

Superb photographs, Gail.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Incredible! We are blessed that you share your talents with us! Don't worry a out getting behind on visits ... I'm sure eEverybody understands. I'm having the same troubles getting caught up on fav sites after my sporadic summer connections.

Kerry said...

Back to say: a richly deserved POTW!

A Colorful World said...

I am on my knees, bowing to the ground...I'm not worthy!!!!!

Linda said...

Beautiful shots! What a delightful little bird!

EG CameraGirl said...

I need to visit more arboretums! What fantastic photo opportunities!!

Barbara said...

Gorgeous!

Suzan said...

I'm like you Gail!! Since school has started back - I haven't been checking out my blogging friends, except on weekends. And I see I'm missing A LOT!! Gorgeous humming bird photos!! Sharp, the colors, awesome shots!!

diane b said...

Fabulous shots

LC said...

I am trying to get back after summer breaks, too. Your photos of the hummingbird miss . . . or missus offered what struck me as an avian flower blossom and a big impetus to resume regular visiting blogging friends.

Helma said...

I'm really jealous of these beautiful pictures of the hummingbird bird
What an amazing beautiful pictures. I have shared this same at google +.
Really fantastic!

Bob Bushell said...

Oh my, it is beautiful, the best that I'd ever seen, lovely.

VoyagesetAbstraits said...

Magnifiques photos !

Waldameise Andrea said...

Wow, welch faszinierende Aufnahmen. Gestochen scharf, man sieht jedes Federchen mit seinen herrlichen Farben.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Oh, my, Gail. You should be shooting for National Geographic.