Broad-tailed Hummingbird male on a Chokecherry tree branch – Nikon D500, f5.6, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve mentioned that finding a hummingbird’s favorite perch is akin to striking gold for me as a bird photographer especially if the perch is in a area where I can pull over and photograph the birds safely. Because I can usually depend on them being there, I can determine the ideal time of the day to photograph them by calculating the best light angle. I also know I’ll be able to photograph lots of different behaviors and there is an increased chance of seeing and possibly photographing defensive or territorial behaviors.
On June 20th I found a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird using a Chokecherry tree branch as a perch and since then I’ve seen the same branch being used repeatedly so for now I believe it is safe to say that this branch is its favorite perch.
I love the rich, vibrant green that shows up in the background that is created by out of focus willows and grasses in the distance and how “clean” the view is of the hummingbird.
In this photo the little male has flared his gorget out so much that it created a shadow on his neck and breast. At the time I took the image I could hear another hummingbird flying in the area and I think this hummingbird may have flashed his gorget at the other bird as a signal to stay away.
Male Broad-tailed Hummingbird landing on a Chokecherry branch – Nikon D500, f5.6, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There is only one problem with this “favorite perch” and that is that there are two separate areas of the branch that the hummingbird likes to use so pre-focusing on one or the other spot leaves me with a only 50/50 chance that the hummingbird will land on the section of the branch I pre-focused on.
I beat the odds while taking this photo of the hummingbird landing because I’d pre-focused on the section of the branch it decided to land on. I wasn’t looking through my viewfinder when I took this image. I had focused on the branch, I was holding the camera as steady as I could and had positioned my head so that I had a clear view of the branch with my eyes and as soon as I heard the hummingbird come back towards his perch I started to fire a burst of shots. I’m happy to say the images of him landing came out sharp and beautiful using that method.
Male Broad-tailed Hummingbird defensive posture – Nikon D500, f5.6, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The other times I used the same method that day weren’t quite so successful but I really didn’t stay too long with this bird because the sun was already getting high.
It was interesting to watch and photograph this little Broad-tailed Hummingbird defend his favorite perch from the intruders I barely saw but could hear as they flew in and he flew out to chase them away.
Chokecherry in full bloom – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was very happy that I took this image of a chokecherry in full bloom on the 20th of June because by the 24th most of the other chokecherry trees I saw had finished blooming and are now setting fruit.
Life is good.
Mia
To view more of my Broad-tailed Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species click here.
The hummers are so beautifully isolated against that background. Unfortunately, i usually have the sun in back of them when they show up.
I can’t forget the “food fight at the OK flower box”–when a humming bird and a tiger swallowtail butterfly had a fluttering/hovering standoff, complete with threatening gestures, over some Verbena in one of my flower boxes…AND THE BUTTERFLY WON!!!!! I was stunned that even butterflies can be aggressive!!!
For birds that are literally shrimp-sized they can be very pugnacious about protecting what they feel is
“theirs”… tiny but tough!!! The femsles often won’t even permit their mates to feed on “their” flowers!!!
I agree. Your out-of-focus green background puts all the drama where it belongs: on your little guy! Fabulous composition!
Those are great captures. I had to laugh when the hummer I was after perched ten feet away from me facing me on an open branch early in the morning. My camera was beside me on the table. I was not fast enough and missed the shot. The next two mornings he came back to that same branch, but with his back to me. I took what I could get.I am happy for you and can appreciate the dilemma of waiting and wondering which spot they will come to. .
Bird and bloom are just bee-yoot-iful. Bounteouss thanks.
Beautiful!
Those Chokecherry blooms are almost as striking as Mr. Hummer’s iridescence. These are wonderful shots!
The huge beehive in my neighbor’s coral tree has sent the usual resident hummingbirds elsewhere for the time being. I still see the hummingbirds do the occasional flyby, but I miss seeing them perched.