Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hummingbird at Inspiration Point

I was walking up a hill to a place called Inspiration point and I saw a couple on a bench enjoying the ocean view. They were able to escape my lens because this guy caught my eye.

He was very tiny and he gladly posed for a couple of shots.




Then he decided to fly away. To be honest I was amazed that he was able to lift his chubby little body with those short wings. These were taken in Corona Del Mar California. I think it's interesting that he has red on the side of his neck in the bottom photo but not in the top.

32 comments:

Kirigalpoththa said...

Great still photos!

Carolyn Ford said...

Interesting...usually the little hummers have the iridescent greenish blue colors. I think he puffs out his feathers to expose the red in his neck when he is in flight or hovering! That's my scientific explanation, anyway :)
These are such sweet close ups of a cutie! Just gotta love them!

I just bought one of those sock feeders to, hopefully, attract some yellow finches. I took some fun shots of my friend's feeders with lots of birds a couple of weeks ago. Now, of course, I want my own.

Regina said...

Wow. Amazing beak.
Beautiful captures!

Sunny said...

These shots are amazing, James.
Sunny :)

Olivier said...

superbe reportage animalier, bravo pour avoir réussi de prendre ce colibri (enfin il me semble)

Pat said...

Isn't he cute? I'm surprised he could fly, too; chubber.

Cezar and Léia said...

Magnificent bird and you took very inspiring pictures!Little Luna has a friend in Brazil, like this one, and he used to visit her in her balcony there and she was always enchanted by him and she had never tried to approach or chase.
Beautiful moment in your lives, lucky you!
Hugs
Léia

Kat said...

Great catch James! I don't think I've ever seen one be so still. What a cooperative little subject, guess he was a Hollywood bird used to the paparazzi! Kathy

Woody said...

Great captures! I wonder if the red spot is a defense mechanism to scare their predators.

Sistertex said...

They are fantastic little guys arean't they.

maryt/theteach said...

James, I can't BELIEVE you caught a hummingbird! I've never been asble to do it! :)

Moira said...

What a precious little fellow

VP said...

Excellent catch, a great set of photos. I think it's quite difficult to freeze completely these little guys...

Louis la Vache said...

Yes! The wingspan to body ratio of a hummingbird does seem to be a bit out of whack!

Lew said...

Great catch! He looks like he has a beard. Those little birds are great flyers and amazingly fast.

Malyss said...

Since I saw Benjamin Button, hummingbirds make me dream...great catch of a lovely one!

imac said...

Love his colour and you have captured him well.

Lois said...

He certainly has some pretty coloring! The red on his neck reminds me a little bit of the ruby throated hummingbirds we have here.

Anya said...

Cute little bird:-)
Perfect shot !!

Cheryl said...

This bird is so pretty. What wonderful captures.

Marka said...

Nice photos of such an active bird!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

What a cute little guy and so cooperative. I have a hummingbird living somewhere near my backyard who sometimes buzzes me and then hides. Won't pose for a photo. Great catch.

Also, thank you for the 2nd title change. Very kind of you.

Anonymous said...

A painter couldn't have made it better. Brilliant photography indeed.
Please have a nice Tuesday.

ruma said...

The brightness of eyes is very impressive.
Her red decoration is good for an atmosphere of California.

Superb catch...

Ebie said...

You are so quick with the snap! the colors and details are so vivid!

Jientje said...

What a cute little guy!

dianasfaria.com said...

what a cutie! I love birds .
i wonder if his feathers were moving & covered the red color.
beautiful captures James.

Martha said...

Great captures. I have never seen a hummingbird close enough to "shoot"!

Tash said...

Marvellous!

Nefertiti said...

Superbe ! OO

YET said...

Great shot! It's difficult to get a good shot of hummingbirds but it looks to me as if you got a few good ones. I saw a show about humming birds on PBS a month or so ago -- the red feathers are iridescent

-- iridescence (also known as goniochromism) is generally known as the property of certain surfaces which appear to change colour as the angle of view changes. Iridescence may be seen commonly in soap bubbles, butterfly wings and sea shells. And humming bird feathers.

As I recall, the males have the iridescent feathers and that makes them attractive to females.

Debra said...

What a pretty hummingbird and wow those wings ARE short! He has the same coloring that mine does from my post today.