Birth & feeding of Black-chinned Hummingbird
Jul 7, 2020 15:59:23 #
I started watching this fascinating little bird June 20th. On July 3rd the first of two eggs hatched presenting us with a less than beautiful little critter. The photo of the nest was taken atop an 8' ladder while nest was unattended. From that point on, all captures were taken with a 750mm equivalent lens from a distance of approximately 20', to prevent stress on the new mother and family. I've been trying to document the development of the young bird. As a point of interest, I've always noticed that loud fireworks had drastic effects on dogs and cats, but I never even considered how a bird would react. On the 5th of July this little mother was noticeably anxious and stressed. So much so that I decided not to attempt any photographs that day. Attached are a few samples from the day of the hatching up to yesterday, July 6th.
Patiently waiting
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First glimpse of newly hatched hummingbird
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First observed feeding
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July 6th, 2020
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Jul 7, 2020 16:05:10 #
Jul 7, 2020 16:07:55 #
Jul 7, 2020 16:12:34 #
Jul 7, 2020 16:29:30 #
Frank S wrote:
I started watching this fascinating little bird Ju... (show quote)
Frank, every year about this time, I place a 1.7 TC on my 70-200 (510mm equivalency), park myself about 15 feet from a h-bird nest close to my house, prop my elbow on the arm of a rickety old lawn chair, cradle my camera and wait. For 14 years. The shots I've gotten I'm not proud of and wouldn't dare post most of them here.
So I'm in awe of what you've achieved.
Thanks for sharing.
Jul 7, 2020 16:45:21 #
Raz Theo wrote:
Frank, every year about this time, I place a 1.7 TC on my 70-200 (510mm equivalency), park myself about 15 feet from a h-bird nest close to my house, prop my elbow on the arm of a rickety old lawn chair, cradle my camera and wait. For 14 years. The shots I've gotten I'm not proud of and wouldn't dare post most of them here.
So I'm in awe of what you've achieved.
Thanks for sharing.
So I'm in awe of what you've achieved.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Raz.
I've obtained the 750mm equivalency by combining a Nikon 200-500 with a Nikon D500 crop sensor body. There was also a fair amount of cropping involved. The most difficult part is patiently waiting while hand holding this combination about 2 feet above the ladder, resulting in the camera being about 10' in the air.
Have fun & thanks for looking,
Frank
Jul 7, 2020 17:47:45 #
Jul 7, 2020 19:26:49 #
Jul 7, 2020 20:39:49 #
Really nice. I think it's only the 2nd hummingbird feeding I have seen. Great job.
Jul 8, 2020 01:15:19 #
Jul 8, 2020 07:16:30 #
Lovely. I get tons of shots of hummers flitting around our flowers and feeders, but these « domestic » images are unique. Great job!
Jul 8, 2020 07:39:12 #
Jul 8, 2020 07:56:08 #
Jul 8, 2020 08:04:03 #
Absolutely super and interesting shots. I give my sincere thanks for posting these.
Jul 8, 2020 08:16:28 #
Fantastic photos and a wonderful series, Frank. Will we see them fledge?
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