Kamikaze at 11 O'clock! (Lots of pictures)

[Al Hansen]

Yesterday in the early morning hours especially the time when hummingbirds love to take baths, I decided to stretch my frame out on the pea rock. I wanted to get a better angle of the hummers and thought this might work. I have to admit that it was quite comfortable being propped up on my elbows, but boy was it a pain to get up. I don't recall griping about stuff like this when I was younger---HMMM!
My morning was filled with excitement. At one time I had 3 hummers at the little water falls and another hovering just inches above my head trying to check me out. I got a first hand look at the aggressiveness of hummers. They display it often in their territorial acts.
The most difficult job I had was after I downloaded 814 pictures. It took me forever to whittle them down. Here are some of those 34 that I kept.
Hope you enjoy.
Al

This is what the area looks like.

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The hummers in this shot are both black-chins with the male in the air and a female trying to take a bath on the edge of the falls. By the way, the female is larger in this variety.

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Not a very good picture, however it will give you an idea of the aggressive nature they possess. The female on the left has her feet ready for attack. By the way, in this specie you can identify the female also by the 3 white-tipped tail feathers on either side of the tail. The male does not have this marking.

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This guy is in the roughest part of the current. He sure shows no sign of fear!

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This next group is a series of 4 shots that took 1/2 second to take. It will give you an idea of the lightning type speed that is involved with when "trying" to observe and take pictures of hummers. These guys will not hesitate in trying to do damage to one another. The 4th shot will show you that.

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Now you know where the "title" came from.

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While taking this shot I not only had three hummers all trying to take over ownership of the waterfalls, but I also had one hovering right above my head. I could sure hear the little tyke and for a while thought it might land on the bill of my cap.

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There are moments of peacefulness. It seems that way but in the hurried up version of the hummer's life, I often wonder if there is ever a relaxing moment---well, maybe just a fleeting moment!

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[Steve Kindschuh]

Cool pics! Thanks for sharing. WE had our first hummer of the year show up the other day. It was really strange though because we had a couple inches of snow on the ground from a freak May snowstorm. The little guy was sitting on a snow covered feeder tryin to get some nectar.

 

[Chris S.]

Great pictures as always. Really like those hummers.

 

[Doug Bowman]

Love the pics Al!

Ill bet your pond is a animal magnet due to the dry conditions in your area.

 

[Tom Modin]

Al I am always a fan of your stories and pictures. The landscapes and dog pictures are family favorites around here. Of course I appreciate the duck/reference photos you post also. The absolute favorites by all are the hummer pictures you post up. Thanks

 

[wis boz]

Al
We have to make you King of the humming birds.
wis boz

 

[TimJ]

Beautiful photos. I've always wondered if hummers actually hit each other when they dive bomb, I guess you answered that with that one perfectly times image.
I need a little warm weather so I can get working on my pond.

Tim

 

[Tom L]

great, now with filling all the feeders I have to build a pond with a pump so the little buggers can bathe also.
it will look like a hummingbird disney land in a couple of years

 

[joe behrman]

Great pictures Al! Do hummers nest or raise around your area?

 

[Al Hansen]

Cool pics! Thanks for sharing. WE had our first hummer of the year show up the other day. It was really strange though because we had a couple inches of snow on the ground from a freak May snowstorm. The little guy was sitting on a snow covered feeder tryin to get some nectar.

Hi Steve,
Glad you liked the pictures. I was trying to picture in my mind what you talked about after your snowstorm. I hope the little tyke makes it.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Great pictures as always. Really like those hummers.

Thanks so much, Chris.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Love the pics Al!

Ill bet your pond is a animal magnet due to the dry conditions in your area.

I know that we have had coyotes there. Some nights our dogs in the kennel about go nuts. Mostly it is the birds that come in from all over the area. The two most common species would be the Gambel's quail and white wing doves.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Al I am always a fan of your stories and pictures. The landscapes and dog pictures are family favorites around here. Of course I appreciate the duck/reference photos you post also. The absolute favorites by all are the hummer pictures you post up. Thanks

Your comments were appreciated, Tom. I have been getting used to the lens I am using now, the 70-200mm and hopefully by this summer when things begin to happen around here, I'll be ready. By the way, taking pictures of hummers comes right after duck hunting on my priority list.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Al
We have to make you King of the humming birds.
wis boz

That was a good one, Jim. I have always enjoyed them. Now that we live where they are much more abundant than in Minnesota and Wisconsin, it just makes it that much more fun to be involved.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Beautiful photos. I've always wondered if hummers actually hit each other when they dive bomb, I guess you answered that with that one perfectly times image.
I need a little warm weather so I can get working on my pond.

Tim

Thanks, Tim. Hummers are not only feisty but can dish it out. There is a reason for them being able to fly upside down. They need all the escape plans possible to keep alive. Good luck with your pond. Hope you post some pictures of it in progress.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

great, now with filling all the feeders I have to build a pond with a pump so the little buggers can bathe also.
it will look like a hummingbird disney land in a couple of years

Good luck, Tom. I, for one, will look forward to seeing what Disney New Jersey for the hummers will look like. Sounds like you have a plan. Out of curiosity, do you put out feeders and have you planted perennials that they like in your yard? Are there quite a few Ruby throated hummers in your area?
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Great pictures Al! Do hummers nest or raise around your area?

Thanks a lot, Joe. Of the 4 varieties that frequent this area, two of them do. They are the black-chinned and the broadtailed hummers. The latter specie prefers higher elevations. The other two that we get only come here when they are migrating south to Mexico and Central America and they are the rufous and calliope. They will hang around here from around the middle of July towards the end of August. As for the blackchinned and broadtailed hummer they come here around the first of April and stay up into the middle part of October before they start flying south again.
Al

 

[Steve Seibel]

You've done it again, Al, captured some great shots right there in your backyard! I've seen so-called "professionals" not getting shots such as these. My wife loves 'em -- as she really gets into hummers, but not so much ducks ...

 

[Howard]

Mine got here the first part of the week. They look in the picture window to let me know they are here. They've done that the last two summers. Appearently looking for the lady that used to feed them. I didn't intend to fill the feeders last year but after they got here and hung around the window for a couple of days I relented.

 

[Tony H]

WOW those are awesome. and the Hummers are pretty cool too!



Okay, Dang it. We have a few buzz around the house each year but don't seem to stick around long. Maybe I need to get the right kind of flowers? Anyone got any help for what I should plant for them. Love it when they do buzz by but sure would like to have them stick around. Look like lovely creatures to watch.