My Mid-winter Hummingbird Fix

I can’t get that fix in the field right now so my images will have to do.

 

hummingbird 2167 ron dudley

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

In August of 2014 I photographed several Hummingbird species on Antelope Island as they fed on nectar from Rocky Mountain Bee Plant. Most of them were either Black-chinned or Rufous Hummingbirds. These Bee Plants are closely related to the Cleome that many of us grow in our gardens but this species is wild and native and was one of the new plant species first collected by Lewis and Clark in 1804. Hummingbirds love them so in August I’m often looking for them since I much prefer to photograph hummers in a wild setting.

 

 

hummingbird 0993 ron dudley

1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

These birds were frenetic in their food-gathering activities prior to migration so for a few days I had plenty of opportunity to photograph them, though that pleasant task was a daunting one. Focusing on them in flight wasn’t easy, even when they paused briefly at a flower cluster but it was great practice in honing my skills.

I kept thinking about all the nectar they’d have to consume to provide the energy required to fuel their activities as they darted from flower to flower. In the midst of it all there were constant defensive and offensive clashes with other hummingbirds and hummingbird moths as they squabbled over feeding territory. It made me tired just to watch them.

 

 

hummingbird 1224 ron dudley

1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

But occasionally even hummingbirds have to take a break and I caught this one resting briefly on a dried sunflower stem. I enjoy the droopy-winged pose which suggests that it was so pooped from its frenetic activities that it couldn’t even hold its wings up.

 

 

burrowing owl 7620 ron dudley

1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

I know exactly what inspired me to post hummingbirds this morning. Yesterday morning I saw two Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island – the first of the species I’ve seen since last fall. They were far away and in poor light but damn it was good to see them! I’m quickly tiring of winter so I’m looking forward to spring birds, warmer temperatures and the color green.

And hummingbirds.

Ron

 

21 Comments

  1. Beautiful shots Ron. We had Black Chinned Hummingbirds in our garden last Fall. First time I have seen them here. They stayed about 4 days then moved on.
    I was thrilled! I like the picture of the Owl. The little yellow flower off to the side gives it a touch of color.

  2. I thoroughly enjoy your posts, I too miss hummingbirds! What I like about the time right after Christmas and New Year is that the owls start mating and nesting. That is my first sign of spring!

  3. Beautiful photos, Ron. And, who doesn’t love hummingbirds?

  4. Ron, I just remembered about a couple of our experiences with hummingbirds. When we lived in Red Lodge we had 3 feeders and one time I counted 15 of the little beauties feeding at once. They are not always so nice to each other, not like the courteous magpies that we fed in Joliet!
    My other story took place here when we were building our house and living in a camper. Harold came into the house and found a poor little hummingbird on the floor. He brought it to the camper and I mixed up some sugar/water solution and dipped its beak into it. When the little bird got a taste it drank and drank. We put the bird up and left it alone. A day or so later I looked out of the camper window and there was a hummingbird peeking in at me! They are so beautiful.
    Now we are feeding Rosy Crowned Finches. They are certainly pretty to see.
    Have a great day birding!

    • “Courteous magpies” – now there’s a non sequitur based on my experience with them, Claudia!

      I really enjoyed both of your stories. Thanks for sharing them.

  5. ❤️❤️❤️ Great pics

  6. Christina Greutink

    I’d be excited by the owls, too! Great shots of the hummers. Thanks for a bit of spring!

  7. So you photographed “several species” of hummingbirds…I’m jealous! We only have one specie here in the East, the Ruby-throated. It was so nice to see images of these brave, tough little nectar warriors! I still can’t get over watching a Tiger swallowtail butterfly battle a hummingbird over some verbena…and win! I especially like the “Whew!”, dragging wing pose in the third frame…looks like one wiped hummer!!!

  8. I love the excitement in this post. 🙂

  9. Beautiful shots, Ron! 🙂 It is a nice winter “fix”. 🙂 Those hummers ARE hard to catch with their fast, often erratic, movements. The one does look “pooped”. Burrowing owl is cute too.

  10. Thank you for sharing your fix, which is now our fix!
    Great shots!

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