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She DOES exist!


Finally caught up with the female hummingbird today! Woo hoo!🙂

“Hum a Few Bars” (Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Female, Archilochus colubris) Nikon D300, 600mm, F/5, 1/2500s, ISO 800

I had just stepped out a few feet in front of the tripod to scan the canopy of a tall maple for a male Northern Flicker when she appeared about 15 feet in front of me and landed on the top rim of one of the tomato cages. OMG! I nearly knocked the entire rig over as I rushed to get back behind the lens! 

Two clicks and she was gone. 

The resulting image required a bit of crop to eliminate an area of distracting background and to create a more pleasing composition but after weeks of either no-shows or less-than-successful attempts, boy am I ever stoked! 🙂

40 Comments

  1. Congratulations Tracy! Great capture. I loved your description of how you got the shot. Those adrenaline filled moments are what it’s all about, huh?

    • Thank you, Carol! Hubby actually witnessed my almost ‘Three Stooges’ moment! 🙂

      Yes, I do love the rush and hope to one day have a bit more control – lol! 🙂

  2. fantastic! This is a great shot! And, what a picture you painted for us describing your scurry to the camera! Great job.

  3. Yippie! Good catch.

  4. wow, beautiful capture

    • Thanks, Rookie! Nice to see a new face in the comments! Hope you stop by again! 🙂

  5. Great shot, congrats 🙂

  6. Congratulations!

  7. awesome, love the clarity in this.. very nice colors to!

  8. Wow, that’s a pretty amazing capture… Are you sure you didn’t put superglue on your tomato cages though… Or maybe you SHOULD… lol…

  9. She’s so little! See, good things do happen to those that wait and wait and wait. Yo hoo, Mr. Cardinal, paging Mr. Red Cardinal.

    • She really is! This was my third consecutive day with the big lens out and for the first two, I saw absolutely nothing. I guess as they say, third time’s a charm! 🙂

      I think Mr. Cardinal isn’t answering his pages… 😉

  10. Whoohoo!! It’s about time, too! 😉
    Even better, that you cought her sitting down, and not hovering by the feeder.

  11. WOW that hummingbird is a real scoop – and the photo too 😉

  12. Nice catch!

  13. Awesome Tracy! I’m jealous, as usual, of your shot!

  14. Wow, that’s a great shot, Tracy. Tack sharp. Nice colours and bokeh.

    • Thanks so much, Dave! I LOVE that boken! No idea where it came from!

  15. awesome. I’d never seen a hummingbird except in photo. this is great.

    • Thank you, ume! Hummingbirds are rare for my area. I’ve been doing my best to attract them for years! This is the very first decent shot I’ve gotten! 🙂

  16. What a great moment for you and a great photo for us. I’m impressed with your knowledge that this is a female too.

    • Thanks much, Tammy!

      When I began seeing the hummingbirds (we believe there is a pair), I became obsessed and researched to find out what kind and how to tell the males and females apart! As a nature photographer, I really do strive to post accurate information! 🙂

  17. She’s gorgeous! I love the vibrant green by her tail feathers.

    • Thank you! I’m sure she knows she’s a beauty! I find them to be just remarkable and magical little sprites! 🙂

  18. Love the commentary supporting the photo’s the excitemnet when you know you have taken a great shot is infectious

    • Thanks! I really do try to make the posts exciting! Glad you approve! 🙂

  19. *waves*

    Bird is the word, y’know. Cute little bugger!

    Nice to see you again!

    Rupe did some hummingbird here quite a while ago —–> http://unclegabby.blogspot.com/2010/01/359-humming-bird-is-word.html

    The link in the posting will take you to more.

    • *waves back!*

      Hi Rupe! Nice to see you, too! 🙂

      I do remember your hummingbird shot – so amazing that you got so close! Oh, and to see a momma hummer in her nest??? I’d probably keel over and die with a HUGE smile on my face at the sight! 🙂

  20. I thought I had posted a comment already, but apparently I have just been thinking to myself how wonderful and exotic this little bird looks. Your wild life photos are special, always so full of love for your little friends.

    • Thank you so very much, Birgitte! Your very kind comment made me smile this morning! 🙂


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