Saturday, December 5, 2020

Hummer Joy 2020

Hummingbirds

Queen Elizabeth II, in her annual report to Parliament, once used the Latin phrase “annus horribilis.” That phrase translates to horrible year. And, the way I see it, that phrase certainly applies to 2020. However, I've found joy this year in some little birds that have fascinated me. In early June I installed two hummingbird feeders on my deck. Six months later I have several hummers who seem to spend a large part of their daylight hours right here around my yard with frequent visits to the feeders. Although they do seem shy and skittish, they also act as if they now know me and are not afraid of me when I'm out near the feeders. They have a most remarkable ability to hover-in-place and I've had them come within a few feet, stop in mid-air, and look at me as if though wondering, who is this guy. They are rarely still for long which makes getting a picture of them a bit challenging. Here are a few captures I like. (Click on images for larger views.)

Although experts say the feet are weak, it
looks like they make a pretty good grip to me!

This is an Anna's Hummingbird.
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds.

Right at the neck, note the tiny red feathers.
Could this be around the ears?

How they survive cold nights amazes me. The
Anna's Hummingbird is in the Pacific Northwest
all year. Other types migrate to warmer climes.

When the light is right the head feathers
are iridescent.

Thinking it over.

Have you taken enough pictures?

At sunset with the Olympic Mountains in
the distance. One of my favorite shots.

It is a pleasure to link up today with Eileen's Saturday's Critters #364  Check out the link for all sorts of interesting posts. Thanks to Eileen for hosting.

Closing Thought

“People don’t realize that now is all there ever is; there is no past or future except as memory or anticipation in your mind.” Eckhart Tolle

13 comments:

  1. Love seeing Hummingbirds - great photos!
    Have a blessed day!

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  2. Hello John,

    You are lucky to see these sweet birds year round. The colorful feathers on the male are beautiful. They are adorable birds, great photos. I am hoping for 2021 to be a great year. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care and stay safe! Have a great weekend. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

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  3. We've put out feeders and have the occasional hummingbird but none regularly. I have a niece in Colorado who has several hang out in her yard. She's given them names and says she can tell they have different personalities.

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  4. Fantastic photos of the hummers. They are amazing creatures!

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  5. Wonderful little birds and you've taken some fantastic photos.

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  6. Hello John,
    Thank you for sharing these lovely photographs.
    I have to agree with you, that last one is wonderful.

    Wishing you a happy weekend.
    Take care, my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  7. What amazing photos! It's so hard to photograph these...you have to have a steady hand! Well done!

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  8. What wonderful pictures. We were not able to attract any hummingbirds this year. I saw them but by the time I got my feeder out they were gone and must have found a new spot to visit. Have a wonderful upcoming week, John. Diana

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  9. Oh wow! I love the Hummers. I enjoyed each of your pictures, but that last one is just spectacular . Thank-you so much for sharing these. it will be May or June before I can expect these beauties to show up here again.

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  10. Hummers fascinate me but even though we have lots of hummers here I rarely see one. You did get some great photos.

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  11. Those are some great photos! I often try to capture the hummingbirds, but they're too fast for me! :)

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  12. Wonderful pictures of one of my favorite birds. And yes it's been just a horrible year.

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  13. You have such amazing hummingbirds in your yard. I've never wanted to do the maintenance hummingbird feeders require, but I have seen them from time to time in my gardens. I used to sit on the back porch of a nature center across town from us, and watch the hummers come to the many feeders they had hanging. I could have stayed there for hours watching :) Very nice photos and the last one is pretty spectacular. Now is all there ever is, and glad you enjoy it so well.

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