Butterflies and Demselflies

Howieh · **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2020, 12:43:16 AM

Thanks. That SX50 shot was taken a couple of years ago when both males and females would perch in that tree on their way to the feeder, certainly not DSLR quality but it's at least thirty feet from the window so my old 100-400 Canon lens would have come up short! I set up natural(?) perches all over the yard by stripping leaves from horizontal branches and the fledglings often come and sit a few inches apart and stare each other down. My current male doesn't stay long at the feeder but he likes to sit on top of the shepherds hook that holds the regular feeder so I've gotten shots of him up there. I really shouldn't hog Ally's thread but here are a couple for the road:

Ally · **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2020, 05:14:26 AM

Please do hog, especially when you have good tips and superb shots of your half hummer, half hatch. that last pic looked like what a nuthatch would do. You description was so vivid, brought memory of seeing a bunting knocking a hummer off a perch at Riverwood.

Shortsighted · **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2020, 12:20:21 PM

First I can't get Meagan's owls out of my head, and then Steven Hood's Yellow warbler, and
then Ally's Tiger Swallowtail and now your Hummer. Like a painting!

Ally · **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2020, 12:31:43 PM

wow, I got mentioned. Now I know how those celebrity feels, and so full of myself, even start to consider achohol. Just kidding, I won't. But please check out my bunting photo, I was so proud of myself with that

Shortsighted · **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2020, 12:37:56 PM

Process into shadows of Stunner of a Hummer

Howieh · **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2020, 09:59:18 PM

Ok, so I got a bit carried away with over processing but this little guy was so cooperative I was able to approach him and use the onboard flash on my SX50 several times without scaring him away. The other shots are taken from a back window and because I was shooting down the gorget (neck) feathers were at their maximum brightness. Apparently male hummers can angle their gorget feathers to reflect light in such a way as to impress females. Btw, my son says I should shoot raw even with my SX50 but I'm too lazy...but I am tempted!

Howieh · **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2020, 06:07:17 PM

Just one more - I promise! I see this pose quite frequently in the heat of the summer when the sun is high in the sky. I think she is either drying her feathers or just trying to absorb the suns heat, not sure why the tail feathers are fanned, maybe for balance?

Ally · **Reply #22 on:** June 18, 2020, 06:24:05 PM

Such an intriguing pic, I thinking it's sunning. I am always happy to see birds do their own things. two days ago, I found a blue jay sitting on edge of the bird bath/ drinking bowl and all puffed up in a quite similar pose to the hummer girl. late afternoon sun, all I saw at first was a 'big' white bird. It took me a while to realise what it was, and even more time to get my camera (limping still), so you will just have to use your imgaination this time.