Reader Bruce Lyon sent some nice bird photos just when the photo tank (traveling version) was on “empty.” His notes:
Here are a few photos of Allen’s Hummingbirds [Selasphorus sasin]that I photographed at the Arboretum of the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Allen’s are migratory and show up in February while the Anna’s Hummingbirds are year round residents. Counter to the normal pattern where larger species are socially dominant over smaller ones, the smaller Allen’s rule the roost and are dominant over the Anna’s. The densities of the hummingbirds are ridiculously high in the Arboretum, perhaps because the Arboretum is full of Australian plants that normally produce nectar for much larger bodied birds, such as sparrow- to robin-sized honeyeaters.
Below: A male Allen’s Hummingbird stretches on his favorite perch.
Same stretch, different bird:
Male Allen’s Hummingbirds are creatures of habit and have a small number of favorite perches, which makes it easy to take photos of them coming in for a landing. I prefocus, turn off the autofocus and then blast away every time the bird comes in for a landing. I discard the 99% of the photos that fail.
Wow! Great shots!
What cute hummies! The first picture looks as if the flower is part of the bird.
Those are not flower petals, Diana; those are tail feathers. It’s an awesome photo and tricked my eyes too at the first glance!
Beautiful birds.
Lovely pictures. It’s been a while since we had some Apodiformes ’round here, and it is good to see some again.
Very nice Bruce. Good thinking on your technique. I’ll have to try that.
I’ve been moving so haven’t been around for awhile, but had to comment. These photos are insanely awesome. Summer is a comin’. Thanks!
Spectacular, Bruce!