Monday, October 27, 2014

Stretched

It's been a couple weeks since I posted any hummingbird shots. Thought I'd give y'all a break. These are from our local arboretum on September 19th. This little gal staked out the flowers that lined the walkway leading into the arboretum, guarding her area fiercely. There was one dry plant limb she favored that was closest to my camera set-up, about 6 ft. away. It was truly a gift. All that guarding and chasing off competitors required lots of stretching to stay limber. Her dedication was admirable.






Today is our 24th wedding anniversary. Since my aunt's 38th anniversary was on Oct. 23rd, we celebrated together at a seafood restaurant over the weekend. It's such a blessing to see my aunt free of pain, able to enjoy the simple things of life. My uncle (her brother) gave her a rose bush he started from a cutting off my grandmother's rose bush. He brought it to me and I gave it to her on Saturday, along with tissues. :) The rose bush has been around for decades and survived being run over by my granddad's lawn mower for years. The rose bush is a survivor, so it's only fitting that a cutting goes to JoAnne. It already has three buds on it and will have the deepest, velvetiest, red blooms you've ever seen. My uncle promised to start a cutting for me, too.

Thanks to the wonderful hosts of:

Link

55 comments:

Roan said...

I would never get tired of seeing hummingbirds. Love these!

Stephanie said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your darling :) May you be blessed with many, many more years.

Once again, you have blown me away with your hummingbird pictures - it's like he was right in front of you! Simply amazing and so beautiful.

Hugs and blessings!

Amy Burzese said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! I'm so glad to hear good news about your aunt. Sometimes good news is hard to find these days. And this little girl is a beauty. I love her feathers fanned out. You do an excellent job, Gail.

troutbirder said...

Happy anniversary, Gail. And those hummingbirds are wow! Busy little things too. So territorial..:)

Hootin Anni said...

I love, love, LOVE the very first photo...just look at those tiny beautiful feet grasping the branch!! All are extraordinary tho, Gail.

And happy of happiest anniversaries today. Celebrate again. The dinner celebration sounds great. And the rose regaling...loved it.

Hootin Anni said...

...ps, thanks for sharing the link at I'd Rather B Birdin'

Irma said...

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary.
I'm so glad to hear good news about your aunt.
The hummingbirds are really great, picture 1 and 5 are my favorite.
Wish you a good new week, Gail.

Merisi said...

Heartfelt wishes on your wedding anniversary, the same for your aunt! Love the thought that went into the rosebush gift.

Your bird photography is out of this world beautiful, I shall never tire of looking at your pictures.

Kathy said...

Your pictures are worthy of publication. I'm always astounded, especially after a long absence, at how beautiful they are. Hope to visit more frequently now.

TexWisGirl said...

adore this little, tiny menace!!! beautiful shots!

and the rose bush is a family heirloom. so sweet. happy anniversary to you and double d!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Happy anniversary. That's great.

Love your little beauty. I have to say I'm a little partial to the fifth shot.

Kudos

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous shots! How fascinating to see her stretching like that. I think that's a beautiful gift for your aunt, and I'm glad you're getting one, too. There's a fig tree in my parents' back yard that came from one of my great-grandmother's. I think it's at least as old as I am. I want to figure out how to bring a cutting back to my place. I don't have a green thumb, but I want to at least try! I hope you have a great week, Gail, and happy anniversary!

Anonymous said...

A fabulous tribute. A survivor rose for a survivor aunt. Those heirloom roses are the best...as are heirloom aunts.

Jeanne said...

Happy anniversary to you.

Your hummingbird photos defy words. I just loved seeing them.

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary! Awesome shots of the gorgeous hummingbird. How could one possibly get tired of seeing her?

Inspired By June said...

Happy Anniversary, Gail! Best wishes to you both! Love the rosebush story. Looking forward to seeing pictures of it one day? Your shots of this female are so fun. Who needs man-made entertainment when God made creatures like this? Have a blessed week!

Melissa said...

How pretty! Happy Anniversary :)

hootnonny said...

Look at the texture on this little gal's feathers! She'd make a beautiful orb!

It's so great to see someone celebrate so many years together! Am glad yall had a wonderful celebration. The rose cutting from you grandmother's rose bush was such a sweet gift for your aunt.

you-wee because said...

Happy wedding anniversary, Gail!
All the best for the next 2x 24 years.
By the way: Did I already tell you that you are my favourite humming bird photographer... ;-)
Kind regards from Germany,
Uwe.

Brian King said...

Fantastic shots! Our hummers have been long gone for a while. Happy Anniversary!

eileeninmd said...

Happy Anniversary! I love your hummer, awesome series of photos.. Enjoy and have a happy new week!

maryaustria said...

Your shots are so amazing! And this bird is a beauty! So great!

Michelle said...

You are such a talented photographer. This hummingbird is a beauty and all of her details are visible in these photos.

Ruth Hiebert said...

That precious little Hummer did everything just right for you to get amazing pictures.

Joke (Joke's Camera) said...

A belated congratulation with your anniversary, Gail. Great that your aunt's condition is improving. What an excellent series again. I love to see your pictures. Every time it's a feast for me. I envy you for the beautiful birds in your area. We don't have hummingbirds here in the Netherlands. Have a nice day. Greetings from the foggy Netherlands, Joke

Rohrerbot said...

Love the iridescence on the hummers. Perfectly captured along with the flight/wing shots

Rosie Grey said...

First of all: Happy Anniversary!

What a stunning set of photos, Gail! I'll never ever need a break from your photos - no matter what you get in front of your lens! :-)

Hilary said...

Lots of nice, here! Glad your aunt feels well and that was such a lovely gift.. the rose cutting. Happy anniversary to you.. and to her. Gorgeous pics as always, Gail but I especially like the one of the tail feathers all splayed. Beautiful!

barbara l. hale said...

OMG! Gorgeous photos!! Happy anniversary, too! Here's to at least 24 more years.

DeniseinVA said...

Oh my gosh, you can share as many hummingbirds as you want Gail, I will never ever, ever get tired of seeing these or your incredible photos of them. So awesome! Happy Anniversary and that story about your Grandmother's rose bush is very sweet and touching. So happy to hear your aunt is free from pain.

A Colorful World said...

She's a stunning bird! Fantastic photos! Happy Anniversary!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Congrats on your anniversary and it will be lovely that someday you also will have the same rose as your aunt. love Hummingbirds so can never see to many of them.

Adam Jones said...

Fantastic shots! Brilliant close ups and so crystal sharp. Give us more please.

orchid0324 said...

Wow; how GORGEOUS photographs of the hummingbird's lots of stretching to stay limber♪
Oh, Happy (belated) anniversary for you two and aunt , uncle; great to be able to celebrate together, isn't it♡♡♡

ps. Ours is tomorrow (30th) and planning have lunch at the new small restaurant close by p:) So sorry for my recent absence, wishing you are having a wonderful week.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

These are such pretty pictures! I love hummingbirds, so you could never overdo them.

Unknown said...

The detail in your photos are so amazing. Such beautiful shots. Happy Anniversary my friend..

Hugs~

Unknown said...

You catch the MOST amazing bird shots I've ever seen - this little guy is no exception. Very touching story about your aunt ... so good that she is doing well. Oh, and "Happy Anniversary"!

Debbie said...

lot's of action/movement in these beautiful images.....really showing off the beauty in their feathers.

exciting captures!!!!!

Willow said...

Congrats an HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to both happy couples !

I would never tire of seeing your gorgeous hummingbird shots ~ they are really spectacular and hummingbirds are one of my favorites ! Our hummers all left the end of September and wont be back here in New England until the end of next April ~ so it was a treat to see yours :)))))

Christian Perrin said...

Congratulations on your anniversary!

These photos are jaw-dropping! I especially like the fan-tailed picture, but there's so much feather details in them all. Would love to see a hummingbird in the wild!

Indrani said...

These are terrific captures. Very well taken.

Wally Jones said...

Happy Anniversary to you youngsters!

Fantastic images of the Hummer!

Great story of the Rose Bush!

Jane of Levant said...

Best wishes on your anniversary last Monday - how wonderful are those hummingbird pictures - such colour and detail - nature is surely such a wonderful artist - we have a rose tree like yours that has spanned the generations from cutting to cutting -called Albertine- have a lovely week - Jane UK

Anonymous said...

Love that iridescent plumage. Such beautiful little birds. Ours are gone now, until next spring.
Happy anniversary!

BumbleVee said...

ohhhhhhhh ... what is there to say..... so beautiful.......

EG CameraGirl said...

It's wonderful to hear that your aunt is feeling so much better. Congratulations on your anniversary! Isn't it great to be married to a good man?

You can never post too many hummingbird photos, Gail. I admit I'm jealous that you've had the opportunity to take such wonderful photos. They are super!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful -- that isn't anywhere near enough of a good word to describe your photos, which are simply incredible. (And I could look at your hummers every day.)

Happy Anniversary belatedly ... and am glad to hear such good news about your Aunt.

Hannah said...

The hummingbird is so adorable, and the iridescent feathers are prefection, and neatly in place. Congratulations on your anniversary!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Your hummingbird shots are my absolute favorite :)

Anonymous said...

Wow wow and more WOW!

Helma said...

Ohhhhh ...... I'm really jealous of these beautiful pictures of the hummingbirds. Really beautiful to see and so beautifully photographed. Sharp, crisp and beautiful color and details. My compliments.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

A little late, Gail, but Happy Anniversary to you and Double D and to your aunt. The story about the rose cutting and survivirship was very touching and what a perfect gift choice that will surely mean more over time.

Rosemary Aubut said...

OMG!!! Absolutely beautiful captures! Happy Anniversary! Can't wait to see photos of the roses.

Ida said...

My stars woman these are amazing! Love them all but the one with the feathers fanned out is just stunning.

Suzan said...

Nice backside :-}} And stretches :-}}