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08-FEB-2004 Tom Grey

Anna's Hummingbirds, mating

Stanford campus

I was lucky enough to get two shots of this scene, and both of them came out reasonably sharp. The other one, http://www.pbase.com/image/25886744 , has a bit of the red of the male's head; this one has a more striking angle to the female's head and bill, and no blown highlights. I submitted this one to Birder's World magazine, and a version of it appeared in the "Gallery" section, June 2004 issue, page 82. I tell how I got the pictures in the caption to the other one.

Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel ,Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
1/800s f/5.6 at 420.0mm iso200, using 1.4x extender, handheld full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Jeana 21-May-2008 22:52
Last year we had a hummingbird nest on a string of christmas lights in my back yard. The female managed to hatch two babies, but one died. We removed the carcass from the nest so as not to hinder the other hatchling. It grew and eventually flew away. This year an other hummingbird came to the same spot and made another nest. Do you think it is the baby from the year earlier? or is it the mother returning?
Pat 24-Aug-2007 13:21
I just was watching the same thing. I couldn't figure out what was happening, then I finally got it. This went on for about 20 minutes out on our deck. They would stop for a quick drink at our feeder, then continued. This is the 24 of August and in Michigan. Isn't it quite late to bring up another family? Anyway it was Awesome.
Anne 14-Jul-2007 14:41
Fantastic! I was looking for a photo of this because this is exactly what we saw happening on our back deck yesterday. Of course I didn't get a photo, but yours is amazing. The two on our porch did it in mid air then dropped to the porch surface, continued for a few seconds then departed. It was crazy to watch.
henrywong09-Apr-2007 05:36
wonderful catch Tom, big vote!
Daniella T.03-Apr-2006 05:59
wow, that is a super catch! definitly not something we see every day.
nicolebouglouan30-Mar-2006 09:14
Stunning capture! Wonderful!
Nicole
Bob Moul25-Mar-2006 13:24
Stunning! Perfect capture!
Gabi Kuhn 25-Feb-2006 05:07
Hi I can't believe you got so close to get such a wunderfl picture!!!!!!!!!! How did you not scare them???!!!!
Diane 08-Feb-2006 00:49
Great photos, thanks! I just witnessed a pair of hummers mating while flying very low to the ground for about 50 feet before I lost sight of them. So, I searched for a photo online to share with friends and here yours were. Since it's the same time of year (Feb) and I'm about 1 hour north of Standford, I'll guess mine were also Anna's, but they were too fast for me to be sure. :)
Diane Wu27-Oct-2005 05:46
Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow......................
I envy you.......
Thank you for sharing. Vote!
Ron Lutz II29-Oct-2004 14:57
WOW!!!!!
Guest 30-Jul-2004 04:17
I've never seen a hummingbird, to say nothing of two at the same time!
Gene24-Apr-2004 23:40
Sure, its easy to shot them when they are occupied ;-)
Nice shot.
Gene