Rufous hummingbirds

back in the garden!!  I wait every year for their brief return (it only lasts about a month & a half as they migrate south.)  I think their fleeting appearances make them all the more precious as visitors.  I'd seen several in the past week but hadn't yet made any attempts to photograph them.

Then yesterday, while hanging the vintage iron birdcage in the garden:

I sat down on the ground (to better photograph it)

When I got buzzed!

The juvenile Rufous hummingbird, that nearly sheared the top hairs off my head, was focused only on the crocosmia which is just beginning to bloom.  I snapped the photo above which called attention to myself & wonder of wonders, he came right over to me!!!

I've never had that happen before so I'm calling it my "hummingbird moment."  Frightened of scaring him off, I sat (completely still) while he inspected me.  Circling my head, clicking, zipping all around & finally, as if he determined I was no threat, proceeded to feed on the black & blue Salvia right next to my head!  Wouldn't you know I had my 75-300mm lens on the camera (which needs at least five feet to focus) so I could not get a photo!!  To have the "problem" of being TOO CLOSE to a hummingbird is not something I had ever imagined! 

Thankfully all was not lost because when he would land between feedings I was able to snap off the following shots:

Below, the photo you may have seen on Facebook:

I liked it because of his feet ~ something not always visible in photos!!

Below, back to Crocosmia 'Lucifer' but this time to perch:

But only for a moment, until a bare Dogwood branch appeared to be a better vantage point:

My favorite photo of all. 

The whole experience was wonderful ~ more like an "interaction" or as close as I can conceive one to be.   Definitely an interlude that will stay in my memory forever. 

Comments

[Robin]

Hi Kathleen, Wow! a hummingbird 'fly by'! I'm so excited for you, I can only imagine. What an experience. That's the worst feeling when you have the wrong lens, thrilled you were able to get some shots. Beautiful!!!
Robin

[Nancy Anderson]

Kathleen these are beautiful!!!! I LOVE hummers! In fact my private e-mail address is hummingbird! I can identify with your lens problem. It seems that no matter which lens I have attached, I need my other lens!

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

Great photos Kathleen! Love these little birds. They are just magical.

[PlantPostings]

Nice! That little guy wanted the stage! He knows a photographer who can show his best side. ;-) Sweet!

[shady gardener]

Kathleen! What a fun time you had! A wonderful experience - and having the ability to take the photos... thanks!! :-)

[Victoria]

I've sat outside near our crocosmia shooting the hummers. Such a guaranteed attractor! Nice pics!