Photos of hummingbirds. Kinda lousy ones, but photos nonetheless!

[cicer]

About three weeks ago, I discoved that a hummingbird had build a nest on top of one of our feeders. We've been peeking in on her constantly since then, and in the last week or so we've been able to see the babies popping their heads out of the nest. I was even able to get a picture inside the nest several days ago when Mom went for lunch, though I haven't been able to get anymore close-up pictures since my camera has a crappy zoom lens and the mom gets anxious whenever anyone is lurking too close to the nest. Still, I've managed to get some picture! And of course I must share, because the babies are socute. ♥



Here's the mom sitting on her nest about three weeks ago. You can sort of see the shape of the feeder she's nesting on. It's got a ceramic bit that holds the sugar water, and then the leaves and the flower are shaped out of metal. There's a nice little spot on top of the flower that perfect for a hummingbird nest! It's pretty protected from the wind and sun, since the feeder hangs down from the roof thingy that covers the patio. She picked a good spot! I'm surprised she built her nest so close to the house, though.




Another picture of mom chillin' on her nest.




One of the few pics I managed to snap of the nest. I had to get up on a chair to get these, so they're not focused well. Still, you can definitely see the babies cuddled up together with their beaks poking out of the nest.




One more slightly-fuzzy picture of the nest. The babies are getting bristly. Observe all the poop around the nest. :/ Ew. Also, check out our potted cacti hanging out on the patio.




Had to take this one through the window, because the mom wouldn't let me get any closer. It's not very clear, but you can still see her sitting on the nest and the babies' beaks poking out from underneath her.




And I took this one today, also through the window. The babies are really getting big and well-formed, and they're staring to poke out of the nest and look around a bit. I suspect they'll be leaving soon. I'll miss them. Hopefully, they'll come back and nest with us again.

Comments

[hungry-worm.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love the profile pic where you see all the beaks pointing out in one direction (it should be iconed, definitely)! I would love to see something like that, lucky you! :D That's so awesome.

[cicer.livejournal.com]

I like the profile pic, too. They looked so cute when the mom was up there with both of them. They left today, wah. I hope they stick around for a while!

[kintail.livejournal.com]

Hee, that's soo cool!

[cicer.livejournal.com]

They're tiiiny!

[emungere.livejournal.com]

Omg! So tiny!

[cicer.livejournal.com]

They are! They look even tinier next to their mom, and she's so small herself. They're weeny. ♥

[wedjateye.livejournal.com]

Aww!

*melts into puddle of goo*

[cicer.livejournal.com]

*is also goo*

[tiggymalvern.livejournal.com]

The profile pics are great. Hummingbirds of any age are awesome - wait until they're fledging and hanging round your garden, you may get to see the grand sword-swallowing act as mum feeds them :-)

[cicer.livejournal.com]

I did see the mom feeding them several times. It was a sword-swallowing act! It almost looked painful. XD They've left the nest, but I hope they stick around. I saw one of them following its mom around yesterday.

[mistressrenet.livejournal.com]

squeeeeeeee.

[cicer.livejournal.com]

Sotiny!

(That icon absolutely cracks me up everytime I see it, by the way. *dies* God, I love Urasai.)

[mistressrenet.livejournal.com]

(I think I like this one a little better, actually.)