The Rufous Hummers are here! At least in our yard in Woodway/Edmonds

[Terry O]

We have been hosting a female Rufous Hummingbird for a couple of weeks, at least, but yesterday is the first of the year for the male. The males usually show up late and leave early.
All of these shots are near our feeder and they were taken from my home office window using the Canon 5Diii and 400mm f5.6L. I usually shoot these with an exposure compensation of -1 since the background is very dark. ISO indicated by each caption - no noise reduction.

As some of you know (like Bill) I hate feeder shots, but with the brass rod and hanger, this female Rufous reminds me of a trapeze artist ISO 1600



Sometimes they hover above the feeder, so I can avoid the annoying red plastic ISO 5000



And finally a couple of shots of the male - I hope to do better in the next few days - stay tuned ISO 3200



This shot is not too sharp - I'll keep trying ISO 5000

 

[squirl033]

neat shots, Terry! i'll have to keep my eye out for these little fellas!

 

[Bill Anderson]

Good shots. I am lucky to see one a year.

 

[Terry O]

Thanks guys! Sure would be great to find their nest.

 

[Terry O]

Some more rufous portrait and interacftion shots

I spent some time today being entertained by the Annas and Rufous hummers - although lots of dead time in between sequences


Later in the day, I finally managed a couple of shots without the feeder in view. The male Rufous is really something to behold.






The female Rufous was clearly not happy with the male's presence - doesn't look like a love situation to me. Anyone who thinks birds don't display emotion, get another think coming



The same fierce female Rufous didn't like the male Annas either