ruby-throated hummingbird

Three from our last US trip today. We have to get ready to catch the train back to Hastings soon. After a 5 hour journey it will be a few pints at the pub next door to help wind down the train lag, so see y'all later.

This little cutie was feeding in the fuchsias yesterday. I had my sprinkler on watering the gardens when she decided to have a bath. She landed in the fuchsia and flapped and preened herself and totally enjoyed the flying water. What a sweet girl and what a great time I had watching her. What fun!

Finally, a decent flight shot. Well, I think it's decent ;)

This was tough at a shutter speed of 1/80

This little guy was half on and half off the feeder but he commanded the area. Sorry for the grain in the picture ... no flash just high shutter speed and high ISO

Another image from last fall. These beauties will be returning soon and I just can't wait. They really love the salvia that's shown in this photo so I always grow lots of it throughout the gardens. It's an annual, though, so I have to replant it every year. I did winter over on large clump with...

This sweet juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird was a visitor to my garden last September. We had quite a few here focused on feeding to get ready for their long migration. The Salvias like in this photo were very popular feeding stations for these lovely and feisty birds. Can't wait for their return!

A female ruby-throated hummingbird feeding on some nectar. Unsharp mask was applied to this photo.

This cold cloudy day has me thinking of Spring again so I dug back through some Hummer shots. Gave me a warm feeling.

Pull this one out from the Summer shots. Brightens my dreary day.

What a difference in only a turn of the head.. Hope these are OK to in be in this category?

Migrant here from Oct-March.

Our first hummingbird in Florida. She has been visiting our feeders numerous times a day since she arrived on 11/8.

I had a feeling as I was photographing my duo last night that they would be on the road that evening starting their migration and it looks as though I was correct. Not one hummer today. I was equally surprised that instead of fighting like they normally do, they were both very busy filling up...

This pose reminds me of a raptor soaring around looking for prey. Background is a Crepe Myrtle about 30 feet behind the bird.

Maybe this one will stop and visit KC on its way south. If so KC, tell it hello for me. I have not seen one in three day now.

This girl kind of took me by suprise. I was photographing warblers and suddenly noticed her fly in to an area near me in the clearing where I was standing.

Kinda liked the head being in focus and the body and wings out of focus.

(Hummers left)

Haven't seen this little guy in about a week and a half now. Guess the direction he is pointed in is South.

A Hummer shot process like the Blue Jay shot. It does not seem to work with all shots but gave this one a nice effect.