H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

This post is about my new” tenants” in my backyard, Mr. and Mrs. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. They are most likely nesting in one of the pine trees by the creek. They come to the feeder approximately every 5 minutes, take a few sips and disappear.

Let me tell you one thing, I took the challenge to photograph a hummingbird for quite a while mostly because I had never shot one picture of any! The fact that they are very small and fly so fast was discouraging, but I said, let me try more seriously so I set up a hummingbird feeder with a full bottle of special juice they like. I never saw even one for a period of about three weeks. However I noticed that the juice bottle was almost empty. I thought that could be that when it rains somehow it washes off the juice.

I decided to move the feeder to a more direct view for me when I shoot pictures. A couple of days later I saw the first one, I was just a small blur, green color on a green background, that’s why I couldn’t see them. The new location gave me the chance to have a better look and the background color changes by the hour when the sunlight changes position. Still with knowing that they are going to the feeders is very hard to control settings for a good shot. I’ll keep trying ‘till I get the perfect shot!

First I thought that I was looking at only one bird but then I saw the two playing chasing games before going to the feeder to get their juice. Later on I saw them perching near the feeder too! They are cute little creatures. I’m glad that I have them in my backyard. They are the only specie of hummingbirds that nest in Georgia from other six species that are seen in the State. They all are migratory birds but the Ruby-throated Hummingbird many times stays through the migration season and weathers the cold months.

Click on images to see enlargements

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (F)

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Text and photographs are © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101