Humming Birds at a Backyard Feeder

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 6 October 2008 in Animal & Insect.

I didn't have the right lens for this and couldn't get closer because it wasn't my yard and I was stuck on the other side of a fence. Hence, this image is very much cropped.

There was a flock of Humming Birds around these feeders. What surprised me most was to see them perching --not only around the feeders, but on the electric wires. I've never seen Humming Birds perch before and had just assumed they didn't. Shows how much of a naturalist I am.

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Comments (8)

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Times might get troublesome, but at least you have these nice birdies, really lovely!

6 Oct 2008 11:45am

@MadScientist: Well, this isn't my place, so actually, I don't.

Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands

Great picture! The heavy bar in the middle makes a splendid composition, too!

6 Oct 2008 1:43pm

gbe from kansas city, United States

amazing creatures...

6 Oct 2008 2:23pm

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

Beautiful little birds, and so much energy, nicely captured.

6 Oct 2008 9:44pm

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

Well you froze their wings in flight, what is that red liquid? Maybe its time to take out Wall Street and mutter son of bitches while watching it.

7 Oct 2008 12:53am

@JoeB: Not as sharply as I thought I would at that shutter speed. The red liquid is a commercial humming bird food --some kind of sugary concoction I think. I'm reluctant to use a feeder like this because I've read that this stuff can decompose if left too long in the South Texas heat, and become poisonous. I can't stand the idea of killing a humming bird in an attempt to feed it.

Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan

I like how the 2 birds are giving a synchronised flight display. I love these little animals, so interesting (even if they always freak me out when I see them because I think they're giant wasps).

7 Oct 2008 1:21am

@Daryl: Just wish I'd had a longer lens with me.

lisa v from Gawler, Australia

I've never even seen a hummingbird. Their drink looks like red cordial. Could explain their frenetic activity.

8 Oct 2008 5:23am

@lisa v: It's something to do with their metabolism I think. The drink is some kind of commercial humming bird food --a sugar concoction of some kind. I'm reluctant to use it myself because I've read that in the heat it take decompose into something poisonous.

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

beautiful! wonderful to catch one -- but you have 2 at once! bravo!!

8 Oct 2008 11:43pm

@dj.tigersprout: Had a shot with three, but it didn't work as well.

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