Photograph by Darren Garrison.
Photography contest: "Animal" category.
30 Comments
Julial · 29 August 2009
Wow.
stevaroni · 29 August 2009
Great picture.
I have a hummingbird feeder in my back yard, and since the area is a little too big and exposed for one bird to truly control, I get to witness to the endless territorial jousting that goes on between these tiny birds.
Charley · 29 August 2009
Very nice photo! We sometimes see hummingbirds in our neighbor's flowers and they are always fun to watch.
gingerbaker · 29 August 2009
Another good reason to appreciate hummingbirds!
(From someone recently stung in my own backyard by one of those little territorial yellow and black bastards):)
I don't care what other photos come up; I'm voting for this one.
Crudely Wrott · 29 August 2009
One can only wish for a faster shutter.
Wonderful image. Great reaction time, too.
kereng · 29 August 2009
Archilochus? Sounds like "bigus dickus" if you speak German.
Henry J · 29 August 2009
The bird probably just got peeved when the insect criticized it for not knowing the words. (That's why they hum.) :D
Darren Garrison · 29 August 2009
Crudely Wrott:
"One can only wish for a faster shutter."
That shot was at 1/1000th of a second (which is the limit of my camera." Taken with manual focus preset for the rough distance of the feeder, f/8, flash on.
Mike Elzinga · 29 August 2009
Darren Garrison said:
Crudely Wrott:
"One can only wish for a faster shutter."
That shot was at 1/1000th of a second (which is the limit of my camera." Taken with manual focus preset for the rough distance of the feeder, f/8, flash on.
But the photographer had to anticipate with enough precision to capture this perfect instant with the right illumination and contrast.
As someone who has done a fair amount of nature photography, I salute you.
Earguy · 29 August 2009
I wonder if the shutter speed was less than 1/1000...flash syncs are usually no higher than 1/250 regardless of the shutter setting.
Whatever, it's an awesome photo.
Dave C · 29 August 2009
Definitely going to vote for this!
GvlGeologist, FCD · 29 August 2009
Funny - That's exactly what I said, out loud, when I saw it as well.
I've got a question, though, as a non-biologist. I've seen hummingbirds fight other hummingbirds over territory, but never an insect. Do yellowjackets compete with hummingbirds for flower nectar? If not, then how do the hummingbirds know that the yellowjackets are competition for the feeder? Are the hummingbirds really observant enough to realize that the yellowjackets are stealing their sugar water? Because, you know, they are "birdbrains" after all.
By the way, I really hate yellowjackets. I've had at least 3 episodes of multiple stings plus a few singles; a total of probably a dozen and a half stings. And once, one actually bit me in the armpit (not a sting, the sucker tried to eat me!).
An incredible photo. Nice job.
GvlGeologist, FCD said:
I've seen hummingbirds fight other hummingbirds over territory, but never an insect.
I have seen hummingbirds chase Skipper butterflies (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skipper_(butterfly) - they are known for their quick, darting flight) who intruded into "their" territory. I have also seen Skippers chase hummingbirds and other birds who intruded into their territory. A backyard with birdfeeders and flowers can be a very busy place.
GvlGeologist, FCD said:
I've seen hummingbirds fight other hummingbirds over territory, but never an insect.
I have seen hummingbirds chase Skipper butterflies (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skipper_(butterfly) - they are known for their quick, darting flight) who intruded into "their" territory. I have also seen Skippers chase hummingbirds and other birds who intruded into their territory. A backyard with birdfeeders and flowers can be a very busy place.
We attract (female) hummingbirds with our cotton trees, in that, when the cotton bolls mature, the females visit them, pulling out fibers to line their nests with.
When we still had a tall fir tree, it would always be covered in cobwebs, which the female hummingbirds would visit, and take to line their nests with. I think they prefer the cotton fibers, as I never see them taking cobwebs anymore.
Wayne Robinson · 30 August 2009
I spent many days in the Galapagos Islands this year trying to get the perfect shot of a blue footed booby diving (and failed). First of all, you have to get close enough, then you have to have the zoom and focus right, and then you have to remember to press the shutter button. I can't even imagine how this shot was achieved.
Can't even blame my voice-recognition system. Fixed, at any rate.
a lurker · 30 August 2009
This entry of the Panda's Thumb has was listed at Fark.com resulting in at least 11,009 clicks.
Shawn Pickett · 30 August 2009
I had a pet hummingbird exactly like this one a few years ago, I named her Archi. This brings back memories.
Lynn · 30 August 2009
Ruby-throated Hummers in my yard seem usually be driven away by the yellow jackets. One of my feeders is easy for the insects to get into and hang out, blocking the opening to the birds. When the birds hover, the yellow jackets chase them. I finally had to kill the insect--I didn't like to do it, I was able to cut it's wings with a pair of scissors while it was gorging itself at the opening. Well maybe it didn't die, but it crawled away on the ground and wasn't seen again. Now my hummers are eating a lot--fighting off the ants at the feeder and spend a lot more time resting instead of flying off right away. I expect they are fattening up for spring. Makes for great viewing as my daughter and I spent time watching one preen outside our window. She looked fatter, or at least fluffier.
Scott Jones · 30 August 2009
I am amazed that no one has made a "birds and the bees" comment.
Of course, this should prove that bees are toast when they mess with the birds sweet nectar!
Justin · 1 September 2009
That's not a bee. But that is one territorial bada$$ hummingbird, and an excellent shot to boot :-)
JefFlyingV · 10 September 2009
I've seen them eating gnats in the morning, but I had no idea they would kill yellowjackets.
Laura · 17 July 2010
Bees can and do kill hummingbirds so sometimes its not just a territorial thing. We've had to chase praying mantis' off of the feeders also, they prey upon hummers too. We've hung feeders for decades and have quite a community built up. Today we witnessed something we never had before, a male ruby throated sitting on the back of a female and repeatedly stabbing her in the back of the neck and ripping feathers out. She was a bloody mess. We quickly went out there when we saw what was happening and the male reluctantly flew off. The bloody female didn't move until we were right at her. She then flew off...very erratically and low to the ground. I doubt she made it. A first (and hopefully the last) for us.
Tim Gallagher · 12 August 2010
Darren,
We might be interested in publishing your hummingbird photograph in Living Bird if it's available in a higher-res version.
30 Comments
Julial · 29 August 2009
Wow.
stevaroni · 29 August 2009
Great picture.
I have a hummingbird feeder in my back yard, and since the area is a little too big and exposed for one bird to truly control, I get to witness to the endless territorial jousting that goes on between these tiny birds.
Charley · 29 August 2009
Very nice photo! We sometimes see hummingbirds in our neighbor's flowers and they are always fun to watch.
gingerbaker · 29 August 2009
Another good reason to appreciate hummingbirds!
(From someone recently stung in my own backyard by one of those little territorial yellow and black bastards):)
Stanton · 29 August 2009
Did it eat the wasp?
Wayne Robinson · 29 August 2009
I don't care what other photos come up; I'm voting for this one.
Crudely Wrott · 29 August 2009
One can only wish for a faster shutter.
Wonderful image. Great reaction time, too.
kereng · 29 August 2009
Archilochus?
Sounds like "bigus dickus" if you speak German.
Henry J · 29 August 2009
The bird probably just got peeved when the insect criticized it for not knowing the words. (That's why they hum.) :D
Darren Garrison · 29 August 2009
Crudely Wrott:
"One can only wish for a faster shutter."
That shot was at 1/1000th of a second (which is the limit of my camera." Taken with manual focus preset for the rough distance of the feeder, f/8, flash on.
Mike Elzinga · 29 August 2009
Earguy · 29 August 2009
I wonder if the shutter speed was less than 1/1000...flash syncs are usually no higher than 1/250 regardless of the shutter setting.
Whatever, it's an awesome photo.
Dave C · 29 August 2009
Definitely going to vote for this!
GvlGeologist, FCD · 29 August 2009
Joel · 29 August 2009
Amazing shot. Absolutely amazing.
Paul Burnett · 29 August 2009
Stanton · 29 August 2009
Wayne Robinson · 30 August 2009
I spent many days in the Galapagos Islands this year trying to get the perfect shot of a blue footed booby diving (and failed). First of all, you have to get close enough, then you have to have the zoom and focus right, and then you have to remember to press the shutter button. I can't even imagine how this shot was achieved.
syndre · 30 August 2009
invadting?
spellcheck?
Brian White · 30 August 2009
Awesome picture!!!!!!!!
Sadachbia · 30 August 2009
That is an AWESOME picture!!
Matt Young · 30 August 2009
a lurker · 30 August 2009
This entry of the Panda's Thumb has was listed at Fark.com resulting in at least 11,009 clicks.
Shawn Pickett · 30 August 2009
I had a pet hummingbird exactly like this one a few years ago, I named her Archi. This brings back memories.
Lynn · 30 August 2009
Ruby-throated Hummers in my yard seem usually be driven away by the yellow jackets. One of my feeders is easy for the insects to get into and hang out, blocking the opening to the birds. When the birds hover, the yellow jackets chase them. I finally had to kill the insect--I didn't like to do it, I was able to cut it's wings with a pair of scissors while it was gorging itself at the opening. Well maybe it didn't die, but it crawled away on the ground and wasn't seen again.
Now my hummers are eating a lot--fighting off the ants at the feeder and spend a lot more time resting instead of flying off right away. I expect they are fattening up for spring. Makes for great viewing as my daughter and I spent time watching one preen outside our window. She looked fatter, or at least fluffier.
Scott Jones · 30 August 2009
I am amazed that no one has made a "birds and the bees" comment.
Of course, this should prove that bees are toast when they mess with the birds sweet nectar!
Justin · 1 September 2009
That's not a bee. But that is one territorial bada$$ hummingbird, and an excellent shot to boot :-)
JefFlyingV · 10 September 2009
I've seen them eating gnats in the morning, but I had no idea they would kill yellowjackets.
Laura · 17 July 2010
Bees can and do kill hummingbirds so sometimes its not just a territorial thing.
We've had to chase praying mantis' off of the feeders also, they prey upon hummers too.
We've hung feeders for decades and have quite a community built up. Today we witnessed something we never had before, a male ruby throated sitting on the back of a female and repeatedly stabbing her in the back of the neck and ripping feathers out. She was a bloody mess. We quickly went out there when we saw what was happening and the male reluctantly flew off. The bloody female didn't move until we were right at her. She then flew off...very erratically and low to the ground. I doubt she made it. A first (and hopefully the last) for us.
Tim Gallagher · 12 August 2010
Darren,
We might be interested in publishing your hummingbird photograph in Living Bird if it's available in a higher-res version.