Hummers and tomato cages.
Yesterday morning was mostly cloudy and cooler so I spent more time than usual working in my garden. This spring I planted a few zinnias in my vegetable garden specifically to attract hummingbirds, but I’ve seen very few of them this summer. So yesterday, when I spotted two of them buzzing around my zinnias, I quickly set up my gear to see if I might get lucky. I got a few shots I like, even in the low light.
To put it bluntly, I suck at immature and female hummingbird ID. I believe that most of the hummers I photographed yesterday were Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Let me know if and when I’m wrong.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I liked the series I got of this little lady best. Her head and much of her body are sharp, the zinnia is isolated, and I like the background. I got her wings back and…
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
wings forward. I’m glad she picked this particular flower to give me my best series. Not all of my zinnias are as attractive as this one. After these photos were taken I deadheaded the zinnias that were way past their prime. I should have done it sooner.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I seldom had light in her eye when she was actually sipping nectar. This photo is a fortunate exception.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got some other shots I like, except for my tomato cages in the background. This photo is one of the few I got with slightly better light and marginally faster shutter speed.
Those tomato cages were a huge pain in the butt. Nearly every time I moved my tripod in an effort to avoid them, the hummer I was concentrating on would choose another flower with one of the cages in the background.
But I had one opportunity with a hummer and a cage that made me smile. The following photo is just for grins.
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When this bird landed here, I swear it looked like she was trying to read the plastic tomato tag. But it was upside down so she couldn’t read it, resulting in this body posture that to me makes it look like she’s frustrated.
It says “Early Girl”, Missy.
In reality, she was probably just attracted by the red tomatoes on the tag. Either way, she’d have been frustrated.
Ron
I love these hummingbird photos, Ron! My personal favorite is the last one with the tomato tag. Fun and delightful. Thank you for adding it to your post.
Glad you enjoyed it, Melanie. At first I didn’t even consider posting that photo but then my mind started spinning…
Lovely images. I have a few zinnias but haven’t noticed hummingbirds on them. I have blooming red sages and red salvia alongside honeysuckle, bee balm and one I think is called orange creeping hummingbird plant. Have a lot of hummingbirds, no Rufus yet. I need to spend some time taking pictures in the yard, so far if I am out I am working in the garden.
April, when I’m working in the garden I often have my gear set up on a tripod in front of a chair. It doesn’t take long to sit down and take a few photos when you see an opportunity. And rest my legs while I’m doing it.
I suffer (badly) from world wide avian envy. And hummers always trigger it. Hooray for zinnias and hummers (and a slightly cooler day). I love the last shot too.
Thanks, EC. Around here, life wouldn’t be the same without summertime hummers.
Love the hummers! Glad you are seeing them! Our normal Rufous migrators have not come this summer. Very few …. makes me worried.
Kathleen, I didn’t see any Rufous last year and I haven’t seen them yet this summer either. A friend in Idaho has been seeing lots quite a few of them. I don’t know what’s going on.
Beautiful shots, Ron! 🙂 Zinnias are nice plants – have gone pretty much to perennials tho suspect they’d blend in well. 😉 Last shot is a giggle! 🙂 Their stubby little legs and gripping power of their feet are amazing to me.
Cooler for a few days before the next heat blast – smoke, of course, UGH!
“Cooler for a few days before the next heat blast”
Judy, that pretty much describes our situation too. Supposed to be back in the 100’s by about the middle of the week, and stay there for a while
Excellent shots Ron and a late in life education for me. I love zinnias, but had no idea they attracted hummingbirds. When I was 11 and 12 years old during the summers back in Pennsylvania I worked in a nursery dividing and replanting zinnias and marigolds and have always loved both plants. We have plenty of Anna’s hummers around so will head out and buy some zinnias and set them up where I can get some clear shots.
Thanks, Everett. I was surprised that zinnias attracted hummers too. But when I saw that they did, I researched it and confirmed it. I’m not sure why I was surprised.
Tomato cages or no, these are some wonderful hummingbird shots. Zinnias always make me smile. Add in the hummers and I’m grinning like a fool — especially over the last shot. 😃
Thanks, Marty. I’ve had a soft spot for zinnias ever since I started gardening in about 1973. In my book, zinnias plus hummers can’t be beat. At least not easily.
I LIKE a zinnia as a hummingbird foil ! The crosswise shape is simple
and its size is close to that of the hovering hummingbird, balancing
it nicely—very pleasing captures. The last one is just precious–have
you ever gone out into your yard wearing a red T-shirt ? You’ll be on intimate terms with a hummer in NO time at all !
Kris, red has been my favorite color for most of my life. Even some of my pickups have been red. Intense red.
But red clothes are a little too much for my delicate sensibilities. 🙂
Great series Ron, love the photos! And love your clever line, “But it was upside down so she couldn’t read it,”
That nearly caused a spit-take all over my laptop!
“That nearly caused a spit-take all over my laptop!”
Don’t do that, Mark. It makes for sticky keys… 🙂
Nice photos. Yes, that last one tickles the imagination.
Hummers are just incredible. I always think of the reports of UFOs where the recordings of the objects show it zoom in one direction and then with seemingly no effort make a 90 degree turn without slowing down, and the fascination it creates. All I want to say to these folks is, ‘have you not ever seen a hummingbird fly!?’ The wonder is all around us.
Thanks, Michael. I’ll never again be able to see a hummer in flight without thinking of UFOs.
Another thing I like about the last photo is the way the bird’s feet are curled around the wire. I have a strange fascination with hummingbird feet; their ability to perch in the strongest winds is amazing.
I noticed her feet too. And liked them.