Hummingbirds…Fall migration is starting…
I always hate to see them go, first the adult males, then the ladies, followed by the juveniles. The boys have already headed out, South. Hope they don’t get any grief at the border;) Ha! More migrants! Are there poutine or taco flavoured flowers I wonder? I’d try them! It’s amazing how the youngsters can navigate their way South, like the juvenile Loons!
It’s always amusing watching the juveniles figure out the different flowers! Lot’s of exploration…timid tries, looking at every angle, grabbing a petal to hang on! I wish I’d had more flowers but the heat did a number on so many plants, blooms withered and fell off…I’ll see what I can do next year! I was happy for the blooms I did have!
This one Canna Lily bloom was very very popular! Fingers crossed there might still be more!
Hours of fun watching them learn just where that beak/bill needs to go!
One is really fun, but when another one shows up! Even better!
The really young juveniles don’t fight among themselves until they get a bit older, then the chasing and crabbiness begins!
Alright, enough of these canna lily guys! Ha! Sometimes just watching their behavior is the thing…or what on earth are they wearing…cobwebs? I’m so out of style! Ha! Steer clear of those big spiderwebs guys!
I do move the feeder around for different backgrounds, making it easier to focus. If the background is busy the camera will hunt and peck to get the bird in focus…keep it simple:) F6.3-7.1…(unless the light is spectacular) ISO 3200 is my standard and then hopefully 1/4000-6400 of a secound shutter speed. Topaz denoise is my go-to program. I don’t use the sharpening much, it sometimes makes things look cartoony, so I just try to capture as clear an image as I can! Lot’s of sitting, sometimes with the tripod, but mostly handheld as they move around so much! They do sometimes just sit! Ha!
I do love the dark backgrounds. I shoot into the shade, or towards the alcove of our house in the late afternoon.
..and sometimes I battle the busier backgrounds:)
I am counting down the days! Earliest they have left is Sept 5th…latest is Sept 16th in the last five years here. Hopefully I’ll get a bit more sun later today to sit and watch them. I miss them so when they go:(
I set my small fuchsia plant on top of the BBQ with the feeder beside it to see who might find it! 🙂 Curious little flying beastlings:)
Are you tired of hummingbirds yet? Not me:)
I seem to have a lot of them still! I bring my feeder in at night because my Racoons love to raise it. It’s like they are waiting for me every morning by the time I get back in the patio door they are already having their first drink of the day!
Absolutely! Or the bears! A tasty snack for all if left out!
Beautiful photos! I appreciate the narratives that go with the photos. I never tire of hummingbirds or any of the wonderful creatures in your photos.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy the journey! They really are so much fun to watch!