There is a lot of chasing and squabbling going on in my garden!
For a change its not the kids or the dogs.
~The hummers are here~
For a change its not the kids or the dogs.
~The hummers are here~
August is prime time to see them in our garden because the males, females and juveniles are all here.
We have several ruby-throated hummingbirds that are racing, chasing and fiercely defending their food. Hands down the black and blue salvia is their favorite.
We have several ruby-throated hummingbirds that are racing, chasing and fiercely defending their food. Hands down the black and blue salvia is their favorite.
Apparently, this branch is the best look out spot for the competition.
(Note to gardener: do not to prune this dead branch!)
When they are still (which isn't for long) you can see how their feathers glisten in the sunshine.
Are you talking about me?
It is exhausting business fending off the "enemy" all day long!
Hey, what is that?
Oh, just a skipper butterfly (do you see it in the background?)
But the "enemy" can attack at anytime.
Get out of here! This is my spot!
It is exhausting business fending off the "enemy" all day long!
Hey, what is that?
Oh, just a skipper butterfly (do you see it in the background?)
But the "enemy" can attack at anytime.
Get out of here! This is my spot!
I said, "go away" or I'll come after you!
Occasionally when the others are in the back garden or busy chasing each other around there is time for a quick shut eye.
Maybe even some preening time.
But not for long...
And it is time to take off again.
They may be the tiniest birds on the planet but they have the biggest appetite.
They have the fastest metabolism in the animal kingdom, requiring them to eat 3 times their weight in nectar and insects a day. No wonder they are so protective of their food source.
They may be the tiniest birds on the planet but they have the biggest appetite.
They have the fastest metabolism in the animal kingdom, requiring them to eat 3 times their weight in nectar and insects a day. No wonder they are so protective of their food source.
Linking with Camera Critters. Please stop over to see what other fun critters have been photographed.
Wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThey're so beautiful - and what a high metabolism they have (but I suppose they do work harder than a lot of animals!). They must be amazing to watch :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are so fun to watch with all their aerial aerobatics! They are constantly on the go!
DeleteFantastic pictures. You really did good. I can't imagine capturing shots like that.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Love the pictures. My hummers had a favorite dead pommegranate branch near my breakfast room window they liked to rest upon and I told my husband not to cut it. Did he listen? No. Sigh. Luckily there are other places for them to light so I can watch them. And the new feeders I bought have a ring around the bottom where they can alight to rest or feed. It is such fun to sit at the table having a meal and watching the birds flit in and out to feed.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I could sit and watch them for hours. It is better than a reality show!
DeleteI love watching the hummers. We have about 6 that are in the garden and at the feeders. In my garden they really love the coral honeysuckle.
ReplyDeleteSuper photos, they are such fun to see.
Thanks Janet! It is interesting how they find a favorite spot and defend it with their life!
DeleteI wish we had those hummers too! They are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI adore hummers and make sure we leave lots of unpruned branches for them....they are still zipping around the garden here and will leave to move S sometime in Sept or Oct depending on the heat...still hot here...great shots Karin...
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! They do love to perch and guard their feeding spot and then dive-bomb anyone trying to move in. They remind me of young children fighting.
DeleteOMG...it's crazy watching them fight, isn't it! I swear, I can't go outside for more than a few minutes without seeing aerial combat!
ReplyDeleteSo true! I've almost been hit a few times unknowingly walking right in their flight path.
DeleteThis is a wonderful series as I see the same thing, but don't have the photos..they are such gutsy little birds..Michelle
ReplyDeleteWow, incredible pictures! I don't usually actually see them fight in my garden - they're usually chasing each other so quickly that I can barely even make out that two hummingbirds just zipped by! I do often see them take sips of nectar from the cardinal flower, monarda, and butterfly bush one at a time though.
ReplyDeleteIt's so tiny. The salvia almost dwarfs it. Remarkable, I've never been able to get a good hummingbird photo.
ReplyDeleteStunning shots, Karin! I don't think I've ever seen photos with the feathers splayed like that before! You should submit this series of photos to a contest! Seriously! A framed montage of this set would be an awesome addition to my living room wall. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice to see it relaxing on a branch, they are always on the go. Nice capture of her taking a break. Black and blue in my garden was rarely a plant they would use to feed, I think because it was down at feral cat level. They do like to guard their food.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos. Thank you for sharing these photos. I am enjoying watching the hummers in my area too.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I love the one with one bird divebombing the other one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn! I wish that shot was sharper but I was focused on one hummer and the other one came in and they are just so fast!
DeleteI had trouble capturing mine this summer. And yes black and blue is the favorite.
ReplyDeleteFabulous series of photos! What a treat to have them in your yard...we have tried to attract them to our city home, but so far, only a passing one...love these!
ReplyDeletewow! what a beautiful shots of the pretty bird :-) Dropping by from Camera Critters :-)
ReplyDeleteKarin these photos are wonderful! I love the hummers from your side of the world...
ReplyDeleteFabulous shots- hummers are so fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful shots!
ReplyDeletethey are wonderful! we have about 20 swarming our feeders here in texas.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the hummers. I will be sad to see the hummer leave soon. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm so bummed that we have no more hummers Sandy these are lovely
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures of these fine "jewels of the sky", well done!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos! You must have spent quite some time capturing those :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Photos!!:)
ReplyDeleteyou did an incredible job of shooting these ever-active hummers....love them
ReplyDeleteWOW! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteTruly, you should stop by and add this link [terrific hummer photos too, by the way...a favorite of mine] to the Saturday Birding Meme
ReplyDeleteThe Bird D'Pot.
Texas State Bird
Great series of photos!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the hummers! I love setting on the deck and watching them defend their turf :0)
ReplyDeleteNice pictures you show of a hummingbird.
ReplyDeleteHanne Bente
Loved the post! What lovely pictures and thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteps...thanks for linking up this week...hope to see you again next time.
ReplyDeleteWould love to join in again. Thanks for inviting me!
DeleteFantastic little birds. Very jealous of you. Wish we had them in England.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are some great pics of Hummers! We have a lot of Hummingbirds in our FL panhandle backyard as well! By the way, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blog Award. Check out my post at www.floraseasons.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa! I am hoping over to visit your blog!
DeleteWhat gorgeous and fantastic shots of this hummer! I'm really out of words seeing these photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous and fantastic shots of this hummer! I'm really out of words seeing these photos.
ReplyDeleteKarin, These are amazing pictures. What patience you must have. Hummers are fascinating birds.
ReplyDeletejust had to view this post again. so darn cute!
ReplyDelete