by Sue M.
Member since:
June 21, 2007

A Hummingbird's Personality Up Close and Personal!!

September 29, 2008 03:56 PM EDT (Updated: June 25, 2009 07:00 PM EDT)
views: 357 | rating: 10/10 (35 votes) | comments: 72

Recently I had the good fortune of observing a little male ruby-throated hummingbird sitting on my butterfly bush just outside my screened porch.  He was guarding his own personal food source (the hummingbird feeder on my kitchen window)... or atleast he thinks it's his own!!

Naturally I grabbed my camera and started snapping away with the lens right up against the screen.  To my surprise, I must have gotten the light just right, as I was astonished at the photos I got!  I had never before been able to get a good shot showing the red iridescent markings on the throat.  (Usually it looks black in photos.)  And certainly nothing that really showed the details. 

But I sure did this time!!!  I was so excited and awed by how the red markings looked... like little scales poking out from under the feathers.  So here are some photos for you to see for yourself, as well as, a few other cute poses.   Enjoy!!

NOTE: For a closer and clearer view of the red iridescent markings in the first photo, please click this link: http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224745214393&nav=Explore&memberId=368110
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d530/d215/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpghttp://media-files.gather.com/images/d531/d215/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d533/d215/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpghttp://media-files.gather.com/images/d541/d215/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d539/d215/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d543/d215/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
NOTE: In this last photo it looks like he's upside down, but he's not!  He is stretching his wings upward with his head is dropped down.
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Comments: 72

Anne Marie A. Sep 29, 2008, 4:03pm EDT
I love hummingbirds. Stunning captures!
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 4:05pm EDT
Thanks so much, Anne Marie!
Marianne R. Sep 29, 2008, 4:07pm EDT
Cute closeup shots.
Elaine S. Sep 29, 2008, 4:07pm EDT
Beautiful
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 4:08pm EDT
Thanks, Marianne and Elaine!
flit . Sep 29, 2008, 4:24pm EDT
oh those are VERY cool pictures

I miss my hummingbird icon :(
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 4:26pm EDT
Thanks, flit! Bring your hummingbird icon back!! :-)
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 29, 2008, 4:29pm EDT
Don't you just love it when your photos wow you like this? These are just awesome and so beautiful!

Thanks so much for posting this to
my group
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 4:30pm EDT
Yes, I do! Thanks, Nana!
J W. Sep 29, 2008, 4:34pm EDT
[retty bird
James T. Sep 29, 2008, 4:37pm EDT
Hummingbirds can be so territorial...I have four feeders set up and three of them are guarded by three different hummers...when another hummer arrives to feed they chase them away...one sits on a limb above the feeder, one sits atop the wire holding the feeder up and another sits on a cable that supports the feeder and all are so very possessive it is not funny...I just enjoy watching them chase each other around the yard and of course taking photos of them...have taken over 6,000 so far in just over the last two weeks...

:O)
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 29, 2008, 4:40pm EDT
YOu got some really good shots.
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Sep 29, 2008, 4:40pm EDT
What a great series, Sue! Good work.
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 4:52pm EDT
Thanks for your nice comments, J W, James, Jax and Roy!

I know what you mean, James... I have taken so many photos that it's just crazy!
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Sep 29, 2008, 5:10pm EDT
Amazing shots!!!
Pamela K. Sep 29, 2008, 5:29pm EDT
wonderful pictures
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 5:34pm EDT
Thanks, Cori and Pamela!
Marian L Sep 29, 2008, 5:37pm EDT
Great captures. The detail in these shots is excellent.
Dagmara H. Sep 29, 2008, 5:47pm EDT
great pictures
t w. Sep 29, 2008, 5:49pm EDT
great pics. thanks
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 5:49pm EDT
Thanks so much, Marian, Debbie and dagmara!
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 5:50pm EDT
Thanks, tammy!
Debby O. Sep 29, 2008, 7:05pm EDT
Wow! Awesome shots Sue!
Bob B. Sep 29, 2008, 7:07pm EDT
This is amazing Sue!
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 7:13pm EDT
Thanks so much, Debby and Bob!
Nancy 67 Sep 29, 2008, 7:16pm EDT
These are all just fantastic shots/captures, Sue! I really love these!
dean t. Sep 29, 2008, 7:23pm EDT
Fantastic Nancy is right, thank you ever so much for this fine work.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 29, 2008, 7:23pm EDT
Your photos are incredible Sue.
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 7:59pm EDT
Thanks for your nice comments, Nancy, dean and j r!
Sue * Sep 29, 2008, 8:18pm EDT
We have lots of hummingbirds, but I'm never close enough to know if they look like this or not. That red is brilliant, you got amazing pictures.
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 8:22pm EDT
Thanks, Sue!
Digital Diva S. Sep 29, 2008, 8:32pm EDT
Wonderful photos - Thanks for posting this to Best Original Photos, Art and Writing for 2008
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 8:35pm EDT
Thanks and you are welcome, Marilyn!
Digital Diva S. Sep 29, 2008, 8:42pm EDT
Thanks for posting this to Texture Photographer
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
You are welcome, Marilyn!
Jennifer aka Jenn B. Sep 29, 2008, 9:15pm EDT
Bravo, Sue..you lucky dog!
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 9:15pm EDT
Thanks so much, Jenn!
Sassy Cat Sep 29, 2008, 9:45pm EDT
What a little cutie! Awesome photos!
Sue M. Sep 29, 2008, 9:46pm EDT
Thanks for your nice comments, Patricia!
Shaunee C. Sep 30, 2008, 12:33am EDT
Very pretty wonderful photos
Vic Needs Coffee Sep 30, 2008, 7:19am EDT
Beautiful shots.
Sue M. Sep 30, 2008, 9:38am EDT
Thanks so much, Shaunee and Vic!
Sue M. Sep 30, 2008, 6:34pm EDT
I appreciate your nice comments, reena!
I didn't know crepe myrtle bushes were on their diet...cool...because I have one on the side of the house ....
Excellent shots....good for you!
Joan O. Sep 30, 2008, 8:51pm EDT
Amazing captures!
Sue M. Sep 30, 2008, 9:30pm EDT
Thanks, Katherine! No, the hummers don't feed on a crepe myrtle bush, although they quite often sit in mine. I actually meant to say in my article that it was sitting in my butterfly bush (so I corrected it above).
Sue M. Sep 30, 2008, 9:30pm EDT
Thanks, Joan!
Larry H. Sep 30, 2008, 11:19pm EDT
Thanks for sharing. can't even tell it was taken through the screen...
Sue M. Sep 30, 2008, 11:23pm EDT
You are welcome, Larry!
Monica H. Oct 1, 2008, 10:11pm EDT
Wow. You did get some amazing shots.
Sue M. Oct 1, 2008, 10:18pm EDT
Thanks, Monica!
vickey w Oct 3, 2008, 9:21am EDT
These are really good pictures and thanks for sharing them with us..
Great shots. Unfortunately, our hummingbirds are about done for this season. Now I will have to wait until next year to enjoy their antics.
wendy O. Oct 8, 2008, 9:23pm EDT
thx SOooo much for sharing, had one dive bomb me while i was picking blueberries earlier this year, just luv these little ones :)
Sheila Deeth Oct 9, 2008, 1:00am EDT
Wow. Those are just lovely!
Rose H. Oct 10, 2008, 10:20am EDT
This almost makes me re-think giving my new humming bird feeder away. But I know I wouldn't keep it up and I have a friend who will, so I am re-gifting the hummingbird feeder from last Christmas.

BTW Sue, everyone of those shots is fabulous!!! Love the first one and the one with his wings extended.
Sue M. Oct 10, 2008, 10:28am EDT
Thanks for all your nice comments, vickey, Renda, wendy, Sheila, Margo and Rose!
necee t. Oct 12, 2008, 12:29am EDT
oh Sue, your photos are always glorious... Blessings to you and yours...


glitter-graphics.com
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Oct 14, 2008, 3:20pm EDT
what a great essay!, I have featured this in Wild things
Sue M. Oct 14, 2008, 5:03pm EDT
Thanks so much, necee!
Sue M. Oct 14, 2008, 5:03pm EDT
Thanks, Angela! I'm honored to be featured in your group!
Kimber L. Nov 6, 2008, 1:33pm EST
Gorgeous photos!! Great photo essay!!
Lawrence U. Nov 6, 2008, 6:24pm EST
An interesting photo essay - wonderful shots!
Minakshi w. Nov 6, 2008, 11:32pm EST
Hummingbirds are so restless! I would have thought it's difficult to get such clear photographs , but you did it. Cute birds and your interest in photographing birds is a joy for us!
necee t. Nov 8, 2008, 6:25pm EST
hi sue... i came back... this is sooo cute... Bless you and yours...

<font size="2">Glitter Graphics & Comments</font>
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Nov 11, 2008, 5:49pm EST
Nice shots, Sue! They are protective of their food supply, aren't they?
Holly G. Nov 13, 2008, 12:13am EST
very nice Sue! I still haven't seen a hummingbird up close and personal! I tried attracting them when I was living in Florida, but with no luck. Now I am in Illinois, maybe I will have better luck here!
Sandra L. Nov 29, 2008, 12:08am EST
These are beautiful. I love the last one. I did think he was upside down at first.
Victoria H. Jan 14, 2009, 9:37pm EST
Thanks so much for posting this to my group All Photo Essays Here !!
Carol P. Jun 16, 2009, 9:57am EDT

These are amazing!
Ghostly Ghoul Jun 20, 2009, 6:06pm EDT

WOW!  my mother loves humming birds.

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