Fast Little Dudes!!!
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
United States
July 23, 2009 3:12pm CST
I dearly love hummingbirds, and I've been trying and trying to catch a really
good close up shot of them "this year"...PFFTTT!!
They are soooo fast, I even set up one of my feeder's right outside my computer
room window in hopes of catching a shot of them perched up on top of the feeder
or just feeding, on this particular feeder there is a nice round ring that goes around
and they can perch there while feeding;
The males and the females though take turns sitting up on top of the pole where
the feeder is hanging and this is the shot I've been trying and trying to get;
If I am sitting here on my computer, they are out there fighting to take turns
at the perch;
If I have my camera "ready" to snap a shot they are no where to be found or
so darn fast I can't get the shot;
FAST, I TELL YA, THEY ARE JUST SOOOOO FAST! "LITTLE STINKERS" but I still love them!
Have you ever gotten a great shot of hummingbirds?? I see so many great ones
in different magazines of course I'm sure those photographer's have way better
camera's than what I have...LOL! Yeah I'm envious I guess;
But you'd be surprised at how much time each day I spend just watching them;
and of course while I sit here and type one of the males has now perched himself
up on top of the pole in fact if you look at my photo there is a rope string
I used and that is what the little devil is sitting on top of...LOL!
Yeah I see ya! Ya Stinker!! LOL! ARRRgghh! Someday I will get my shot!
3 people like this
12 responses
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I love to watch hummingbirds and yes they are very fast. We have a feeder out in the tree and another one on the patio. I have a digital camera, kodak, and it takes pretty good pictures. The picture I have attached here I just zoomed in a little bit and got the show. It's not the greatest but it is a picture of a beautiful bird. This was taken last year.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Yes I did have that pic up for awhile and might even had it as my avatar but can't remember now. We haven't had as many hummingbirds this year. Not sure if it is because it is too hot and dry or what the deal is. I don't have my hummingbird feeders up right now. We have feeders out for the other birds right now and also a fountain for them to drink out of and to play in to keep cool and clean. :) If I do get any pics I will post another one. I have several but that one was the closest I think.
2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
Hi Tyc: I wish I had a fountain I always wanted one that would be fun to see
those tiny little hummer's in the fountain and taking a wee bath (G)!!~
my neighbor has a fountain but I don't in my yard...(sniff) oh well I buy
a small sized bag of food for the other birds at the beginning of each month;
I love to watch all the birds eat but they are such pigs...it really is like
feeding a bunch of hogs once you get started with them;
My little hummer's aren't out and feeding much today so far, I've been at my
window now for over an hour and haven't seen a one of them;
have a good weekend!!! 
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
23 Jul 09
No I have not got a shot of hummingbirds but I was attacked by a bevy of female hummingbirds when walking in the bush on our farm with my husband. Evidently I walked close to where they had their nests. The moved so fast and I had to run to escape them as they dive bombed me to attack. I was flapping my arms and running and my husband was laughing and the kids shouting. Thanks for the memory
2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
Oh Cynthiann: Your story just had me laughing here trying to envision you
out on the farm and then being attacked by hummingbirds...LOL! Sorry, but
it is "amusing" to me, I know I have such a mean spirited and sick humor..LOL!
Glad you didn't get hurt though (G)!!
I would imagine that your family did have a good laugh at your expense..hehehe!!
But in all fun and laughter, just glad those little devils didn't get their
beaks into you;
{{hugs}}
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
26 Jul 09
Oh yes, it was cause for great laughter. Aren't the hummingbirds the only birds that can hover in mid air like a helicopter? They are so beautiful. I have so many in my garden along with my beloved parrots that come home totheir nests each evening. Just to let you know that i will not be posting or responding much next wqeek as my boss will be in residence and my lunch break is not even my own!
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
HI Polly: aaawww!! no feeders at your place? No high place to hang one from
like a porch, a tree or somewhere?
There are a couple of stray ( abandoned cats) here too like there was
at my other residence and they always try to sit under one or more of the feeder's
and I Have to SHOOooo them away;
don't worry they get plenty to eat around here without eating the birds or
my little hummingbirds...LOL!!
well maybe you can find a place to hang a feeder and "maybe not"??
take care and have a good weekend!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
24 Jul 09
We all need challenges, and I think you have found yours. I know about that slow camera, fast bird thing, but I have never tried to get pictures of hummers.
2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
HI ya Gerty: How are you??
Yeah that for sure is a challenge for me, trying to get photo's of the little darlins on my slow camera...like everything I own its all old like me and falling
apart fast...LOL!!
I see so many pictures of them that people have taken in magazines that I get
or my Dad gets, those Country magaines and so on, for years I've seen all these
great pics and I'd love to be able to just get one of them you know?
I'll just keep trying and trying and trying ...(G)!
have a good weekend!! 
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
23 Jul 09
a friend of mine's mom set up hummingbird feeders and actually managed with a simple camera to get some nice shots of her hummers
but you have to be willing to stand out there a long time until they get comfortable with you being out there - there was one lady who sat outside with a dish of sugar water in her hand for weeks and got the hummers go come up and feed while she sat - I've seen pix, http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_handfed_hummingbirds.htm
2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
Hi {{Elic}}. WOOOWWWWW!!! Those were amazing photo's! Took me 4 times to load them on this slow thing but It finally did....
I wish I had that kind of patience to do that ...LOL!!
first time some nasty stinger, aka wasps I'd shriek, throw the sugar water
up in the air, it would all run down on me, then I'd be stung several times AAcck!
I just don't think I could do that I really really really hate any kind of
stinger's and they love the sugar water too, darn things! Even the Hummer's
jump back from them and are at the ready to do battle with them if need be
but for the most part they fly away too from them;
But those pictures were crystal clear and just PERFECT!! Thank you so much
for sharing those and telling me about them....That was amazing!
Now I'm really jealous...(EG)!!! 
2 people like this
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
24 Jul 09
About six years ago my family and I went to stay in a cabin in the North Woods of Wisconsin. They had what i found out to be a hummingbird feeder right outside the door on the back deck. The first time one of these birds flew by me it scared the heck out of me as 
I thought it was some type of huge woodsy bug until it suspended by the feeder. It was an awesome thing to watch.
I thought it was some type of huge woodsy bug until it suspended by the feeder. It was an awesome thing to watch.2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
HI {{uicbear}}, LOL! That's funny! I guess they are a bit frightening to someone
if they are not expecting them, and they do buzz right by our heads and we hear
those little wings beating together so fast...
I love the little chirpy sounds they make when talking to each other, or
fussing at whatever is blocking their feeder like the other morning a jehova witness
lady stopped by and I had the door opened talking to her while she was standing
outside and the little hummer's kept buzzing her until she just let out a "shriek"
I laughed so hard I told her she was blocking their feeding, standing to close
to it, and they did not know her and they were letting her know..ROTFL!!!
They are so funny and cute!
thanks for sharing your story and making me laugh (G)!
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Hi Roberten: Thank you!! I do love my little hummingbirds;
I love all nature but those little humming birds stole my heart
many years ago out when I was on the farm growing up;
Thanks again and you can be sure that if I ever do get that
shot I will post it here ;
thanks for stopping by;
2 people like this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I am training mine, I go outside each morning at the same time and stand right by the feeder to water the patio plants. Now after 4 days tow or three will come to the feeder right beside my head, next week I'll take the camera. Wish me luck, If I get a pic I'll share. I have Annas and Rufus hummers.
2 people like this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
23 Jul 09
HI SAvypat: You are very wise to do that;
They will come buzzing by
head too when I am outside or sitting outside close by to another feeder,
I usually am WITHOUT my camera on those occasions darn it!
I'm so glad you posted because DUMB DUMB ME...was busy watching my window
while I was typing and of course my tv set is on and one of my favorite
shows is on and stupid me forgot to add the photo to my discussion...
I HATE IT WHEN I DO THAT...ROTFL! somedays I just cannot multi-task LOL!
I hope you get your shot and yes please please please do share it here
I would love to see it!
Good luck to you!!!
1 person likes this
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I really hope you do too, Jan! Don't give up!
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
HI dear friend; OH I won't give up but I do get flustered you know? LOL!
I swear they KNOW when I've got that blasted camera "on"...guess mine are
camera "shy"...LOL!!
have a great weekend...
if I forget to answer your PM message to me, I'll try to get to it as soon
as I can...stupid DIAL UP keeps knocking me offline then I forget what and
where I was doing you know?
IT'S THE WEEKEND....guess there are other's on line too...UGH!!! 
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Hummingbirds are cute, aren't they? They are so small. I guess that's why I think they're so cute. They are fast, that's for sure! I don't see very many around here but I have occasionally. You said you never have your camera ready. That's one reason why I'm glad I have a camera on my cell phone now. I recently got a new cell phone because when I called at&t one time here lately, the girl I talked to said I was eligible for an upgrade on my cell phone and I could get it free of charge for a limited time. I took advantage of that! Kathy.
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
HI Kathy: Well now that you have a camera on your cell phone, You'll be
at the ready to capture all kinds of interesting shots of this and that right? LOL!
take some of the horses too ( for me) ok?? And of course of you and the other
volunteer's at the riding place; That would be great fun!!
Just be careful of the flash, some horses don't like that crap (G)!!
my neice took a picture of the horses at my Dad's when he was renting the pasture
out and the one Maggie nearly ran over my other neice when the flash went off
but then she's always been a bit high strung...
good luck can't wait to see what you capture!!
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Jul 09
Yes, I'm aware that some horses are afraid of the flash from a camera. I used to use the flash on a camera to make pictures of horses we had in the past and they would take off running. I made a picture of Cyrus on my camera phone not too long ago and I use it as my default picture. He stood amazingly still, too. It was so funny because Prissy was trying her best to get him to run and he was like "Leave me alone! I'm trying to have my picture made!" As far as making pictures at the EASI barn, I have been wanting to get a picture of Yellow, that palomino I've been riding here lately, on my cell phone. Here lately, when I finish riding him, they want me to turn him out in the pasture and I never get a chance. I'll see if I can make his picture when I go out there Tuesday and the other horses, too. I don't want to make their picture in the barn because I would have to use the flash and I don't want to scare them. I sure don't want to get the director mad at me, either. She has jumped on us volunteers a few times.
As far as making pictures of the volunteers, we're always so busy until it's hard to get everybody together. I don't have a printer on my cell phone so I don't know how I would get the pictures from a my cell phone to me computer. I hate to keep putting you off so much, Jan, and it's not that I don't want to get any pictures uploaded. It's just that I have to learn how to do it first. Kathy.
As far as making pictures of the volunteers, we're always so busy until it's hard to get everybody together. I don't have a printer on my cell phone so I don't know how I would get the pictures from a my cell phone to me computer. I hate to keep putting you off so much, Jan, and it's not that I don't want to get any pictures uploaded. It's just that I have to learn how to do it first. Kathy.
@Sweeten (159)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I think when i first saw a hummingbird i thought it was a bee. When i put up my cheap Wal-Mart feeder the hummingbirds swarmed in like crazy and if i hadnt known better id think i was being attacked by a swarm of bees. They are suprisingly fast aswell.
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
25 Jul 09
Hi Sweeten; Welcome to mylot, hope you are having a good time here;
Yeah I am alway's tuned in to sounds outside as I'm very paranoid when it comes
to anything with a "stinger" on it...LOL! hate them! bUT over the years
I have become very "attuned" to the sound of the hummingbirds so I always know
that its them and not some nasty stinger close to my head; LOL!!
AS they get used to me, they will make little chiry sounds too, like they are
talking to me, ( probably telling me they are HUNGRY) and to get more fresh food
out for them. Ha!
Yeah thank God for Walmart's cheap feeder's most of them are pretty decent priced
I think, they are a lot higher priced at other places;
thanks for stopping by;
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
18 Oct 11
i also love hummingbirds i always have nectar set out for them to eat but here a while back my feeders were empty and i opened the back door to go inside and a hummingbird flew up out of no where and i thought he was going to fly right into my house with me then one got trapped in my garage a while back he kept flying into the window he must have been at it for hours trying to get out he was so exhaused that he let me pick him up and take him outside and let him go
