Rick's Photo Blog

IMGP0867, originally uploaded by GvilleRick.

We had a relaxing day today after the travels of the week. This morning we enjoyed watching the hummingbirds at the feeder in the front yard. We have discovered that hummingbirds are not good a sharing. One bird guards the feeder in the back while another guards the one in the back. Any other birds approaching the feeder are quickly chased off as the bird standing guard swoops down from a perch above the feeder.

This morning we saw as many as five hummingbirds flying around the feeder in the front and the photo above is a rare occasion where three birds shared the feeder. I also uploaded a video to my Flickr site (which you can access by clicking on the photo above) that shows the birds sharing the feeder.

IMGP9474, originally uploaded by GvilleRick.

We put up a new hummingbird feeder in our front garden this afternoon. Within an hour we had a visitor appear. While the birds at the feeder in back are pretty used to me being around and will let me get pretty close to take photos, this guy was pretty cautious and flew away if he sensed any movement. He flies to a nearby tree and guards the feeder. From what I have read it is unusual to have a ruby-throated hummingbird this late in the season in South Carolina.

I thought I would try something a little different and post a video rather than a photo. I set up my camera on a tripod and let it run for a while. After 5 minutes or so a hummingbird came to the feeder. I clipped the video to get it to 25 seconds. You can hear the chirping just before he appears.

IMGP8758, originally uploaded by GvilleRick.

The hummingbirds were back this afternoon. It was interesting watching the action. I was able o sit close to the feeder and could hear the humming of the wings as the birds flew by. One hummingbird sat on a branch above the feeder and whenever another bird would approach the feeder he would swoop in a chase it away. I have photos on my Flickr page of the bird at the feeder. The photo above shows him guarding what he believes to be his personal feeder.