These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Hummers and others

OK, now, this is a post of few words, and the wordy one will follow. I'm still working on the wordy one.

Sitting on the deck recent evenings, Gail and I have begun identifying several birds visiting the feeders. Here is a chickadee. These little guys are pretty brave around us.



And an adorable little titmouse. He is as cute as can be! Not at all shy with us.



This is a grosbeak. Very pretty bird, but extremely shy about being near humans. Obviously I had to take this with the zoom because he wouldn't come near enough to snap him at the feeder. I'm looking at stronger zoom lenses, thanks to midlifemutations who has given me some information about them. Stay tuned.



And then the hummingbirds ... I'm using the continuous shooting feature, and getting some wonderful shots of these little fast-moving guys. It is hard to catch them otherwise. I've done it, but not without lots of wasted clicks of the shutter. I also found that the camera speed in that mode and the hummingbirds' speed correlate oddly at times. In some series, the camera seemed to be taking pictures exactly on the movement of the bird so I had multiple blurs; those were deleted. The following ones were taken with apparent synchronization of the camera and the birds' movements. In the computer, I've set up a slide show that simulates the exact movements to and from the feeder. Fascinating! Depending on the angle I was able to be in, some of these don't show much color because the background was too light; however, they make for amazing silhouettes and actually show some of the wing movements, wing shapes, and the amazing near-translucency of the feathers. Hope you enjoy this selected few. Trust me it is a few ... taking shots in continuous mode allows for 200 frames in no time at all, literally, moments.





The tiny bill is parted in this shot. I don't think I've ever seen that before. Click on the picture to enlarge it.









There is a droplet of nectar at the tip if his beak. You might want to click on this and enlarge it.


















15 comments:

  1. How BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Oh how I love the ones of the sweet little hummingbirds. You know, the ones we had visiting us, are STILL gracing us with their presence. I just LOVE watching them. I remember, it was because of YOU that I but that feeder out there in the first place. Jayla simply ADORES her "pet birdies" and shows them to everyone who comes to visit.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Hey, Dawn, I'm glad you're enjoying your wee ones as much as I do. They are fascinating, aren't they?! I loke your new picture!

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  3. I love watching the birds. I put out a hummingbird feeder but haven't seen any hummers.

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  4. WOW! What cool pictures!! I love the closeups of the hummingbird..So beautiful!

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  5. Lynilu, those take my breath away! Amazing!

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  6. Wow you've got some great shots (as usual) Lynilu!
    I love watching birdies. I can't even pick a favorite. I like the robins with their red tummies and the plump brilliant bluebirds, and the kingly bluejays, and the regal cardinals ... see, I could go on and on!

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  7. Daisy - Me, too! I put the feeders out early in the spring, and for a long time I had just 2-3 hummers. Lately, I've noticed what seems to be 15-20 at times. They fly too fast to actually count! It takes time for them to navigate to the feeders, so be patient.

    Jen - Thanks! I'm pleased that I'm getting so many good ones of those little fast-movers!

    Sassy - OK, BREATHE!!! LOL! Thanks.

    Patti - Thanks, and I agree with you ... there are just so many beautiful birds to watch. I'm beginning to think I need to start keeping track of the birds I see. there are just so many kinds!

    GKW - Hey, Gary, long time since you've been here! Thanks a bunch!

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  8. Truly some wonderful hummingbird pictures, Lynilu ! Happy Friday to you !

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  9. Annie - I thank you! Happy Friday/weekend to you!!

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  10. I love hummingbirds and your pictures are fabulous! Those photos really caught the beauty and wonder of the birds!

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  11. You took these with your Canon? Can I ask which Canon you have? I can't believe you got them mid-air with no blurriness. Sorry I am being a camera nerd and not enjoying the beauty of the hummingbird as much as admiring your shutter speed.

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  12. Jenster - Thanks!

    Sandra - I use a Canon Powershot S2 IS. It is an older model, about 2 years, 5 mp., 12X zoom. There is a new model S3, most features same but has 6 mp. I don't even fully understand the "mechanics" of the camera yet; I fumble and stumble with the manual settings, but I'm learning ... s.l.o.w.l.y. Those were shot with the Automatic setting! to capture the bird without the blurring of his movement, I used the continuous shooting feature and it worked, as you see, wonderfully! I've been alerted about the attachments available for greater zoom capabilities, etc., and I'm getting ready to invest some more $$!! I'm not unhappy with the clarity of the 5 mp, and until I begin to enlarge A LOT, I will stick with this little beauty.

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  13. These are some of the best pictures I've ever seen of a hummingbird. Maybe THE best! The more I think about it.... yes, they are truly the best. :)

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  14. Catherine - Wow! Thanks! (head swelling unproportionally and blushing)

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!