A Ruby Throated Hummingbird feeds at a Butterfly Bush
The other day while taking photos, I observed two hummingbirds chasing each other around the yard. Several times one of them had stopped no more than five feet in front of me and hovered for a few seconds before continuing on its way. As if taunting me, they just hung there until I began to bring the camera up, then they flew off. I could never quite get the camera up and focused in time to snap the bird hovering in front of me that close, so I made my way over to one of our Butterfly Bush and waited to try and capture it feeding.
I was able to capture the birds on a few different trips to the Butterfly Bush with the Canon EF 100-400MM F/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens at 400MM from about 15 feet away. All images were taken handheld with the Canon 7D Mark II and processed and cropped in Adobe Lightroom CC. For a minute or two one of the birds would feed, then the other bird would approach and the two would tare off and chase each other for several minutes before one would return again to feed. A minute or two would pass, then the events would repeat themselves.
I always enjoy watching these animals. The speed and control they exhibit is always fascinating to witness.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Suspended in midair ... a Ruby Throated Hummingbird feeds
A Ruby Throated Hummingbird hovers while feeding
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