Nesting Hummer

[mjs1973]

I was at the pond this weekend watching some herons, and butterflies when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. I thought it was a dragonfly so I watched it to see where it would land. It landed in a tree behind some leaves. When I moved to get a better look I realized that it wasn't a dragonfly at all.

[AmberC]

Very cool! I dont think I have ever seen a h-bird nest before! Great shot!

Amber

[Speed]

I was at the pond this weekend watching some herons, and butterflies when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. I thought it was a dragonfly so I watched it to see where it would land. It landed in a tree behind some leaves. When I moved to get a better look I realized that it wasn't a dragonfly at all.

Awesome catch!!!

Like Amber, I've never seen a hummingbird nest before!!!

[Old Timer]

Well I'm not a birder but I sure have never seen this before. Nice going Michael.

[Loupey]

Great going, Michael! I've been looking for the nests and trying to follow the little buggers. But I keep losing them as they fly into the trees

Nice find!

[mjs1973]

Thanks everyone. I have walked past this tree dozens of times and have never even seen an adult until this weekend. It was just dumb luck that I was standing a few feet away when the female came back to the nest. I still have a hard time finding it now that I know where it's at.

[terryger]

that is totally awsome! i have seen several nests but never with any birds or eggs in them!
:thumbsup:

[quetzal]

That is so cool. I've never seen a nest before either, great job!

[paulnj]

The few nests I have found were 20-30 feet up a tree! I have seen images at eye level, but never can find my own! Great catch, but please don't bother her too much. Do get images of the young as they grow though!

[mjs1973]

please don't bother her too much. Do get images of the young as they grow though!

This has been the question that I have been pondering ever since I found this nest... I want to get some shots of the young, but I'm not sure how to go about it without bothering them. I may be able to get my camera close enuf to see inside the nest and use my 40' shutter release, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea. That's what I did to get a ton of bluebird shots and they didn't seem to mind at all.

I was only about 9' from the nest when I took this shot, and the adult didn't seem to mind, but I don't want to stress her and risk having her abandon the nest...

Would it be better to go in close, grab a few shots and then leave, or set my camera up on a tripod while the adult is away, and just wait from 40' away? The nest is within an arms reach of the ground, but I would need a ladder or step stool to see in it. If I raise the center column on my tripod, I might be able to get almost level with then nest.

What are your thoughts?

[paulnj]

She leaves, you move in and get your images is how I'd do it, but at nine feet away a tripod mounted camera may not be too stessful?

It's evident when a bird is stressed, so use good judgement. If you think she's stressed, back off

[mjs1973]

Thanks for the advice Paul. I'll see what I can get this weekend.