Thursday, July 14, 2011

HIDDEN HUMMER


Just after dawn, as Moon-the-Dog and I were making our joint reconnoiter of the yard and riverbank, I happened to spot this tiny ruby-throated hummingbird tucked away beneath an umbrella of canna lily leaves, no more than two feet above the ground, on a handy bergamot stem perch.

It's not the greatest photo…I had to crank the ISO up a couple of stops and try and hold the 450mm lens steady at a 90th of a second in order to manage the shot. I've also lightened the resulting image overall, just to keep it from being a dim, green-tinged silhouette—though I hope I've retained the sense of dark mystery of the little bird's hidden shelter.

Hummers are often the first birds we see in the morning, beginning their countless trips to the nectar feeders when it's yet so dark that you sometimes can't spot them sipping their sweet breakfast, and only realize they were there when they go whirring away. Perhaps that's what this hummer was doing, resting between feeder forays.
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10 comments:

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - if I dared to say how many words of which I did not know the meaning in your first paragraph alone one might think I was raised by wolves in a cave. :-)
And the picture of the hummingbird is amazing, I think.. I so appreciate them here. They swirl and fly in a dance in harmony and it is so lovely. Like a stage set just for me right outside my front picture window in our garden. :-)
The weather here today is perfect, low humidity, about 80 degrees, a few puffy clouds and bright sun with a nice breeze. Amen.
Love Gail
peace......

Scott said...

I don't get too many hummers in my neighborhood, even when I put up feeding stations. They do like bee-balm, though, which I have growing in my garden. I believe that your image conveys the feeling you intended.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Hmmmm…I bet you meant the second paragraph, but that's okay, I think nothing bad whatsoever about you. When it comes to technology, I read plenty of paragraphs by writers—competent writers—which I muddle though only halfway (or less!) understanding. All I was trying to say was that the light was really too dim for a good photo, but that I'd fiddled around with the image trying to make it better.

The weather here is great today, too—78˚F right now, bright sun, low humidity, excellent!

Gail said...

Hi again-1st and 2nd :-)
<3 u

The Weaver of Grass said...

I love the way his body takes up the shape of the branch Grizz - it is so elegant. Lucky you to live where there are such birds.

Grizz………… said...

Scott…

I have lots of hummers here, often 6-7 at a feeder at the the same time. I'd bet I've seen more hummingbirds in any single year since moving to this cottage than I had in all the previous years of my life combined. They do like bee balm, and I have a number of different varieties of Monarda planted. You'd think they'd go first for the big red classic Oswego tea, but there's a pink one (forget the name) they actually seem to favor first. At least half the stuff I put out is done so with birds and butterflies in mind.

Thank you re. the pix. I hope I didn't overdo the lightening.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

"Reconnoiter?" To investigate, look around, examine, scrutinize, inspect, observe, patrol, typically while sipping coffee and looking for something to photograph…or in the case of Moon-the-Dog, sniffing and snuffling, nosing into and under, and so long as the supply lasts, anoint whatever looks interesting with a few judiciously placed dribbles.

We each reconnoiter in our own way…

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Yes, I liked that, and the little bird's watchfulness, but most of all just the place's sheer coziness—such a compact green snuggery.

Gail said...

Hysterical love it :-)

Grizz………… said...

Gail...

Funny to you and me...serious business to Moon-the-Dog.