But still with plenty of attractive, natural habitat.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This Rufous Hummingbird, photographed last Friday as ‘he’ was nectaring on Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata), is the same bird I posted a photo of two days ago. In the earlier photo there was an in-focus flower directly behind his tail and lots of out of focus flowers and leaves in the background. But this time I caught him with a clean background as he was pulling away from the flower cluster he’d been feeding on.
The two photos are quite different from each other but I like them both. For me one of the primary strengths of this shot is the way the green foliage is beginning to wrap around the bird, partially framing him, including providing a ‘roof’ of leaves over his head. I’m less happy with the out of focus flower and leaves in the foreground at the right frame edge. But because the bird itself is so well isolated I don’t think they’re a big deal.
I’ve been posting quite a few hummingbird photos lately but they’ll be migrating south very soon and they’ll be gone for many months so we’d best enjoy them while we can because…
We’re Gonna Miss Them When They’re Gone.
Ron
The hummingbird image is fabulous. This shot is another one that would make such a lovely notecard. 🙂
The video is a delight (I’m a fan of Anna Kendrick anyway). Although, coming off a summer of helping to cook up at music camp, I couldn’t help but notice all the health code violations in the video. 😱😂
I noticed at least one thing I’d call a blooper, Marty.
But it was minor and it sure didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the video.
I definitely enjoyed the video as well. It’s just funny how one notices certain things — sort of like never seeing a particular kind of car on the road until you buy one and then suddenly seeing that car all over the place. Brains are weird that way. 😉
Beautiful photo! I’ve loved seeing these guys on our feeders here in North Salt Lake.
Thanks, Bobbi.
Amazing, I saw 2 of them sharing our feeder today!!! A new experience for me!!
Good for you, Alice.
The Rufous hummer scouts are starting to show up here. And that’s a favorite video of mine. Thank you for sharing it.
Arwen, I think I watched that video three times today. And I’d seen it before.
A gem!!!
Thanks, Patty.
Very nice composition. Definitely has an artistic quality.
Interesting that there is no pollen on the dorsal surface of the wing feathers as there was on the ventral surface of yesterday’s photo.
Hope the firefighters can get the Parley’s Canyon fire under control soon.
BTW, it looks like Cleome serrulata is now Peritoma serrulata, although not every reference is up to date.
“it looks like Cleome serrulata is now Peritoma serrula”
Dang, those botanists are as bad as the ornithologists!
Thanks, Lyle.
Kowabunga -Wow! Gorgeous! I love it! Thank you for posting.
Thanks very much, Richard.
NO hummers here. Ever.
So this (and the video) are early morning treats. Megathanks.
So, I guess I should stop complaining about not having them in winter!
Superb shot Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte
Great photo. Our Rufous Hummingbirds here in western Oregon are mostly gone. They head to the mountains to feed on mountain wildflower nectar and double their weight before a long journey south for the winter. But we still get to enjoy our many Anna’s Hummingbirds. They are resident throughout the year and even during prolonged cold spells with temperatures dipping below freezing, they do just fine. They enjoy our feeders but, of course, they still need protein and even in those cold temperatures they still glean insects and spiders from plant surfaces. They are quite amazing little birds with many very specialized adaptations.
Thanks, Dan. Your last sentence is so very true about hummers.
Those glints of gold/green in your hummer friend are really attractive, along with all the complementary colors of the background and plants. While I don’t have Rufous visitors at most any time of year (the iBird notes I keep show one, back in 2018!), I’m grateful for the Allen’s and Anna’s that hang out in my yard year-round, though they’re not very kind to one another. 😉
Thanks, Chris. Not being kind to one another seems to come with the territory with hummers.
LOVE Anna Kendrick! Great link 🙂 Your Rufous photo is gorgeous!! The hummers (Rufous and red throat) have found my feeder and drain it each day. At one point we counted 15 hummers around the feeder! Endless joy 🙂
That many hummers must be a blast for you, Kathleen. The most I’ve hade at one time has been four or five but that feisty Rufous takes them all on simultaneously. Sure entertaining for me.
Absolutely gorgeous shot– colors, everything ! LOTS of hummers overwinter
in Prescott– I think they find sheltered cubbies for overnighting, and I learned
that if I put out nectar near the end of January ( bringing it inside overnight
and hanging it out in the early morning ) that I’d have a little Zumbador
humming in place as I exited the house at dawn…….
Kris, a friend who lives in Boise says they have a few Anna’s overwintering every year. I’ve heard similar reports of hummers here in the winter but I’ve never seen one that time of year.
Beautiful Rufous and the video was a surprise treat. I had never seen it so especially enjoyable. Here in Prescott we have many Anna’s who stay the winter and survive on the feeders, but we do have milder winter temps than you do. Have never seen a Rufous here in the winter though.
Thanks, Everett. I’m a little surprised that you have hummers of any species overwintering in Prescott. Good to know.
That video was a delightful surprise, Ron.
Good. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dan. I thought it was appropriate for the situation.
My friend in Puerto Rico says that hummingbirds there are called Zumbadors. I recommend this name!
I see that zumbador means both “buzzer” and “humming”. Both work.
NICE! Really caught the “moment”. 🙂 IF a few show up here it’s for a very short stop on their way back south. Luv the video…..:)
One more day of heat and smoke before “some” relief. Kings X!
Ha, “King’s X”, now that brought back some childhood memories. And they were Montana memories too. Thanks, Judy.