I took my first Black-chinned Hummingbird of the year photos in the middle of May but it wasn’t until the end of the month that I took some that I liked.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird hovering by honeysuckle, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahFemale Black-chinned Hummingbird hovering by honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was in a canyon in the Wasatch Mountains near a creek when I heard the familiar buzzing of an adult female Black-chinned Hummingbird ‘s wings. I knew she had to be checking out the Black Twinberry Honeysuckle flowers to see if they had opened which made it easy for me to find her.

Black Twinberry Honeysuckle in bloom is a favorite nectar provider for Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in the spring here in northern Utah. I know that if I can identify which foods the birds like I will find birds.

Adult female Black-chinned Hummingbird feeding on Black Twinberry Honeysuckle, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahAdult female Black-chinned Hummingbird feeding on Black Twinberry Honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The dainty female Black-chinned Hummingbird was difficult to track as she fed on the nectar of the honeysuckles and I missed more shots than I got sharp. Hummingbirds are always a joy for me to see and photograph though and if I get a few sharp photos I am happy.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird resting in willows, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahFemale Black-chinned Hummingbird resting in willows – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The female hummingbird rested in between feeding on the branches of a nearby clump of willows and I was able to take a few photos of her there.

There was a male Black-chinned Hummingbird in the same area perched high on top of the willows who may or may not have been this female’s mate. Although I took a few photos of him they didn’t quite meet my standards because the angle I had of him was so steep. I also photographed my first of year Broad-tailed Hummingbird female the same morning but I didn’t care much for the images I took of her.

I had fun photographing all of the hummingbirds that I found that morning.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Black-chinned Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.