Monday, July 14, 2008

Up Close

I love photography, and though my skills are seriously lacking, every once in a while, I get a shot or two that I really like. I was so entirely disappointed with the picture of the hummingbird that accompanied Friday's post, that I just had to try again.

The birds emptied the feeder between Saturday evening and Sunday. I mixed up a fresh batch of nectar yesterday after lunch. I took the feeder down and cleaned it completely, then I refilled it and hung it up again. As I turned to go back into the house there was already a visitor, and then the fighting began. Several little winged beauties were waiting in line, wrestling with one another mid-air to gain a better position in the lineup.

click to enlarge

I grabbed my tripod this time, set up on the deck, and focused on the feeder. I wasn't disappointed! My favorite picture, shows a feisty little hummingbird fighting with a bee. It's a little blurry for all of the action in the shot, but if you click on the picture to enlarge it I think it's really great.



To see more of the pictures that I got of the hummers, visit my photo blog, A Photo Journey.

12 comments:

Julieann said...

Tracy, those pictures are wonderful---I clicked it to enlarge and I could see the bee--that is quite an amazing shot you got. My Grandmother gets bees on her feeder too---Ohh, I forgot to get a feeder again...LOL. Everytime I come here I remember...LOL.

Julieann

randi said...

It takes lots of patience to get good pics of birds! I imagine you were outside for a while to get those ones. I love the "fight" picture!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love the action of the 2nd shot - the bees lined up in the air waiting their turn at the feeder! Wow!

*carrie* said...

wtkBeautiful photos, Tracy. I love hummingbirds! (That's one of Monica's nicknames, because she used to hum constantly!)

Short Stop said...

Great pics, Tracy. I like the one from Friday...really captures the spirit of that little bird. But, I know what you mean about wanting to capture just the right shot!

Jodi said...

Their blurry wings fascinate me ... it's amazing that they can move them that fast! I agree with Randi, bird shots take lots of patience.

Abounding Treasures said...

These pictures are amazing Tracy! You've got a real knack and obviously, lots of patience :o)

~~Deby said...

These are great too...enjoyed them
Deby

Karen said...

I didn't see anything wrong with the first one, Tracy. Your photography skills are wonderful. It looks like the bees won out in the second one. :o)
Still no hummingbirds here. I wonder where they are this year.

Tori Leslie said...

Very pretty Tracy!

Dianne said...

Those are terrific shots of the hummingbird and the bees, Tracy! I need to look into getting a feeder.

The dB family said...

Oh wow! These pictures are great!! The hummingbirds around here tend to be a little elusive to the camera. I have yet to get a shot. I love the bird and bee battle!