This collection of hummingbird photographs is the result of a lot of patience and my slowly learning to think like a hummingbird.
My neighborhood in West Hollywood, California, is fortunate to have hummingbirds of one type or another all year round. When I first began photographing the hummingbirds, it was thrilling (and very frustrating) to get a single decent photograph after a full day of waiting on hummingbirds to fly by.
It took a while for me to figure out the birds' tolerance for my presence--how close I could get without startling.
Many of the hummingbirds who stop by my second-floor balcony feeder can be skittish and want nothing to do with me. But others are bolder and more curious, and sometimes linger for a while, allowing me get within a a few feet before flying off in annoyance at the flash from my camera, or for some other reason having nothing to do with me.
But some of the hummingbirds linger around long enough for me to try for some good shots. I'm really happy to get a single print-worthy photograph out of hundreds of not-very-noteworthy attempts.
The similarities and differences among individual hummingbirds and between species is an endlessly fascinating subject for a photographer like me. I'll admit to a preference for photographing the more vibrantly colored hummingbirds, but every bird is distinct and noteworthy in its own right.
While enjoying a sip at my feeder, the birds are always on the alert for some predator or another hummingbird to swoop in.
The rain doesn't seem to bother the hummingbirds much, but they sometimes disappear for a few days when the weather turns too hot or cold for their preferences.
The interaction between myself and the birds might be the most interesting aspect of this series. The hummingbirds are looking directly at me in many of the photographs.
I hope you enjoy the hummingbird photographs as much as I do! Everything about this project has a been a joy for me.
