Duel

[Solly Mack]

I was afraid to get close in case they flew away. I wasn't even sure they would notice me but I didn't want to chance it. They were zipping in and out of camera view, feinting and parrying until one was left to claim it all. (This will start all over again tomorrow)



















The End.

(Neither bird was injured)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Those are great shots, my dear Solly Mack! Well done.

These are all wonderful, but number 4 is amazing!

I don't know how you do it. They are so fast.

Thanks for sharing!

[Solly Mack]

2. Thanks, CP!

I was just snapping away. Hoping to get something from their antics. They were flying about very fast. Most of the shots were bad.

[NV Whino]

3. Those are great!

I love the angle, the blurred background, and the backlighting. It all gives it a sense of tension. Good stuff.

[Solly Mack]

6. Thanks, NV Whino.

[flamin lib]

4. Think you're gonna scare em?

Just try to move the feeder, I dare ya.

[Solly Mack]

7. They buzz me when I change feeders out.

I think it's cool.

[mnhtnbb]

5. I LOVE watching hummer wars. I think George Lucas designed

Star Wars fight scenes based on hummers.

We've only just seen our first migratory hummers of the season. No wars, yet.

Great shots!

[Solly Mack]

8. Thanks, mnhtnbb. I was trying to ignore them.

I was working on my B&W shot for April's contest. Then I just gave in and started snapping.

One year we had one hit the garden wall during a rumble. He was stunned for a few moments then flew off.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. brilliant. so how'd you get that? just happened ? and you

had your camera there? wow.

[Solly Mack]

11. Thanks, Laura PourMeADrink! I was out in my yard shooting for April's contest

& the hummingbirds were fighting. I have several feeders to attract hummingbirds and I always have a camera with me in my yard. Just in case.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. You're so smart. I am in the yard, see something amazing, run in

the house, come back, and poof it's gone. Do you use a tripod ? Guess
I could get away with a bit of a shaky hand doing hummingbirds, huh. :&gt

[Solly Mack]

20. I'm usually hidden in a bird blind when I set out to snap photos of birds.

Sometimes I use a tripod but mostly not.

This time? No tripod. No time. Vibration Reduction is my friend.

[Adsos Letter]

10. Outstanding!

What a great series.

[Solly Mack]

12. Thanks, Adsos Letter!

I was lucky to get anything at all. They were very fast.

[Adsos Letter]

13. They are fast little critters.

I have two hummingbird feeders out in front, and one largish wooden feeder for the seed eaters in our neighborhood.

The hummingbirds get especially brazen if their feeders remain empty for too long, even with all of the flowering plants out front.

If the seed eaters' feeder is empty (and I'm out on the porch sitting on the bench) they usually line up on the fence and send out a couple of supplicants to inquire politely about the possibility of a re-supply.

The hummingbirds just get right up in my face like "Dude...you blind? Whassup with the feeders?!"

Pretty ballsy for fondue-sized critters...

[Solly Mack]

14. lol! My yard birds send the Tufted Titmouse to peck at the window to let me know to refill.

Sometimes I wait until he pecks.

It's fun to watch.

[CC]

15. Hummingbird wars are so much fun to

watch. Hard to catch on film and you have some great ones here. Still waiting for them to get back here. If I let my feeder get empty the little one will come to the window to let me know its hungry. I'm beginning to think the same one comes back every summer and claims the front feeder.

[Solly Mack]

16. Thanks, CC. I enjoy watching them.

They're vicious little things.

[Callalily]

17. Wow! Great photos!

And what a privilege to watch and experience their antics!

[Solly Mack]

21. Thanks, Callalily.

I love the little meanies.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. Wow! Amazing pix!

And such fascinating little birds! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

[Solly Mack]

22. Thank you, Rhiannon12866.

I was lucky to be outside for the event.

Thanks!

[yesphan]

23. Wow ! what great shots.

My Ruby Throats do the same thing. I put up multiple feeders several feet apart and it seems to help a little.

For a few moments anyway.

[Solly Mack]

24. Thank you, yesphan.

[tooeyeten]

25. Magnificent

You are very talented!

[Solly Mack]

26. Thank you, tooeyeten.