Female Black-chinned Hummingbird in bright morning light, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahFemale Black-chinned Hummingbird in bright morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When I spotted this tiny female Black-chinned Hummingbird yesterday high in the Wasatch Mountains I hoped she’d begin to feed on some nearby honeysuckle. She did.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird hovering by a honeysuckle, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahFemale Black-chinned Hummingbird hovering by a honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The hummingbird moved out of the willow thicket and towards a clump of Black Twinberry Honeysuckle. I tried to follow her every movement through my viewfinder. That isn’t easy.

Adult female Black-chinned Hummingbird poking a honeysuckle, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahAdult female Black-chinned Hummingbird poking a honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The blossoms of the honeysuckle haven’t fully opened yet but this female hummingbird poked her long slender bill into them anyway.

Spring adult female Black-chinned Hummingbird, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahSpring adult female Black-chinned Hummingbird – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

As I photographed the female Black-chinned Hummingbird I could see and hear several males displaying and interacting just above where she was feeding.  I glanced at them but continued to focus on her. I know from experience that trying to track the males displaying is even more frustrating than trying to track the movement of a hummingbird feeding on wildflowers.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird at a Black Twinberry Honeysuckle flower bud, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahFemale Black-chinned Hummingbird at a Black Twinberry Honeysuckle flower bud – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

By focusing solely on the female hummingbird I was able to take a few keeper photos of her as she poked and prodded the honeysuckle flower buds.

Black-chinned Hummingbird female hovering by a honeysuckle flower, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahBlack-chinned Hummingbird female hovering by a honeysuckle flower – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Photographing Black-chinned Hummingbirds or any hummingbird in wild, naturally cluttered settings is always challenging. I felt that my skills were a touch on the rusty side yesterday morning after a long winter of not having these flying jewels in my viewfinder.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird taking off from a honeysuckle, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahFemale Black-chinned Hummingbird taking off from a honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

By the end of my time with the female Black-chinned Hummingbird I was able to locate her more rapidly and lock on for a few more photos before she disappeared into the willow thicket.

Black Twinberry Honeysuckle and female Black-chinned Hummingbird, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahBlack Twinberry Honeysuckle and female Black-chinned Hummingbird – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was thrilled have this beautiful hummingbird in my viewfinder and loved hearing her wings as she moved around in the honeysuckle.

Life is good.

Mia

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