Teeny Tiny Birdie Feet~

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I evaluate hummingbird photos by how clearly I can get the feet in focus. If the face is in focus, but the feet are blurry, then the photo doesn’t make the cut.
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Besides I can’t believe their birdie feet. They are miniaturized, engineering marvels.
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These tiny birds who weigh less than a nickel, have impressively functional feet.
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Check out this guy with his landing gear engaged and ready to lock on!
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Right now the hummers appear to be miffed.
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I moved their feeder so it would be more in the sun for photos, and they are balking about using it.
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It’s a hummingbird standoff.
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If they refuse to use the feeder for another hour, I’ll move it back.
Cheers to you from The Holler Hummers, who, of course, are always in charge!
I am just their feeder filler~
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273 thoughts on “Teeny Tiny Birdie Feet~

  1. Great pictures, I see Hummingbirds all the time but never that up close. Having the feeder in the sun most likely gets too hot for their little feet to touch. See if they only land on the side not directly in the sun. A.G.

  2. Ms. Feeder Filler, you gave me a laugh because I know what you say is true, the Hummers rule your land. Really excellent photos, and I, too, love those little feet. 😀

  3. Good evening Cindy – These pictures are by far the most amazing I have ever seen of any bird. Absolutely beautiful. The colors are truly magnificent. Hmmm – I think I feel a poem coming on… The Hues of the Hummingbird… Thanks for the inspirations. Hope your evening is as beautiful as your photographs…
    Michael

  4. Amazing photos. I consider it a win if I get one sorta of centered — they move so fast — by the time I oh and ah over their zippity cuteness they’re gone again.

  5. That is an interesting tip to also keep the bird’s feet in focus as well as the eyes or the head. I will have to keep that in mind if I have a chance to capture pictures of bird.

    1. I was so tickled with that one because we got to see the mechanics of how they land. They are endlessly interesting to me, so happy you enjoyed them Pauline & cheers to you and Jack.

  6. Wow, the hummers are still around where you are! They annually leave around mid-late winter in my area so I haven’t been seeing them as of late. However, thanks to you Cindy, I can view them here! 😀

    1. There is a small cohort that stay here year round, the hordes will arrive in the spring and I will be using 32 ounces of nectar daily in mid summer! These little babies need their fuel!

  7. Great shots. I understand their rule all too well. The feeders have to be cleaned and replaced at night or all you-know-what breaks loose!

    1. Not with people. They will come within inches of my eyes and I trust them completely. But with each other, oh my yes! They spend so much time bickering and fighting it is unreal and it utilizes way too many calories to be efficient!

  8. Cindy, such beautiful shots of the hummers. I just love them. Had a very strange experience right before Christmas, when it was quite cold. One big fat hummer would sit in a rosebush nearby and did not allow any other hummers to eat from that feeder. Than I got upset and hung another one, because it was so cold out, but this hummer started chasing all the others away from both feeders. It was all for him. No sharing, just like humans at times.
    The others hummers for sure were hungry. Enjoyed watching the whole scenario. Hugs! Veraiconica

    1. Yes! They seem to fight more over the feeders when there is less competition. In the summer when we have hordes of them, they still fight, but less intensely. Now when there are around 5 birds and 64 ounces of nectar hanging there, they squabble like mad. It makes no sense. All I can figure is that when the competition is serious, ie., many birds, limited nectar, it is a matter of survival to drink more and fight less. In the winter when there is tons of nectar they have more luxury time to fight! Funny little guys….

  9. If these are not links Google Atmospheric River 🙂
    Infoporn: Forecasting a River of Atmospheric Water
    Wired‎ – 17 hours agoThis weekend, an atmospheric river is set to hit California. Here’s how scientists modeled …
    Atmospheric river of rain ready to drench Northern California
    Los Angeles Times‎ – 11 hours ago
    More Snow Ahead for East, ‘Atmospheric River’ of Rain for West
    NBC News‎ – 4 hours ago
    More news for atmospheric river
    Σταύρος Λάντσιας – Το ποτάμι του χρόνου(The river of time).

    1. Such ethereal music. Entrancing. Beautiful. I don’t think the water will get here. Northern Caly yes, but here no. Makes me beyond sad. Thank you for this wonderful water music my dear friend.

      1. 1EarthUnited introduced me to this composer/musician . Another Sky River could form, unseen, over the warmer ocean, and flow right to your house. You might not even know it until the water cascades down.

        I hope this potential rain, from the river that already has formed, is enough to save a few trees in the orchards and the stressed forests.

        Knock on wood 🙂

    1. Oh see, you and Pauline notice. I took that today, although lacking in some things that might be required for a good photo, I loved the new insight into the bird’s mechanics. Thank you for noticing & enjoying~

  10. Really interesting point you make about how their feet indicate the quality of the photo 🙂 Amazing photos I must say, very beautiful 🙂 Always a treat to see your photography 🙂

  11. Wonderful Cindy! Never seen any hummingbirds live so I really love your pictures. And I’m amazed that you manage to capture them so well. Happy weekend!

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