So for months now I have been doing my part to help the local bird population during the heat and drought this year here in North Texas, and other than the occasional view of the hummingbird out the kitchen window, usually between 6:30 and 7:30 each evening, no real “contact” has been made with the little guy.  That is until today.

This morning while sitting outside and watering the flower pots near the hummingbird feeder, the little guy buzzed Karen and I, hovered for a few seconds, and then lit on the feeder and ate.  We sat very still and just watched, each just beaming that we were sitting so close and he didn’t seem to mind.

Then later, since it was such a nice day, we decided to eat lunch outside.  And then we spotted him!  He was perched in a tree on the edge of the yard, just sitting there watching.  I went inside and got the binoculars for Karen, thinking that as soon as I got up he would fly away.  He didn’t.  In fact, after a few minutes, he came over beside where we were eating and first buzzed the flower pots, and then his feeder.

At this point, I’m thinking, I wonder if I could get my camera without scaring him away.  As soon as he finished, he flew back to the tree and perched again.  I was up and in the house gathering camera, tripod, flash, etc.  Got back to the door to go outside…slow down…breathe…slowly go out and sit down and set up.  Yes!  He’s still perched in the tree.  I shoot a few shots of him across the yard, knowing that he’s too far away. 

Then, I set the camera up and focus on the feeder, hoping that he will make another fly-by.  He does!  Here he comes.  Circles the first flower pot.  And then the second.  I’m ready with my finger on the shutter for him to hit the feeder. and then… he flies back to the tree.  Drats!

Karen decides it’s time for her to go in.  I decide to stay just a little longer.  Maybe he’ll come by again.  Maybe the introduction of the camera with the big white lens scared him off.  So I’m watching him in the tree, and then it happens; he takes off!  Flies to the corner of the house, and then down to the flower pots!  I’m not taking any chances this time.  I’m fumbling with the tripod and the focus and snapping away.  He’s buzzing all over the flowers—doesn’t stay still for very long in any one place.  I’m focusing.  I’m shooting.  Flash if firing.  And he flies back to the tree.  Finally!  I think I have some shots!

Run (slowly, still don’t want to frighten him) back into the house and pop the CF card into the computer and there he is!  Yes, there were several bad shots, but there are a few keepers.  Next time there will be even more as I learn his habits and he becomes more used to me being there.

I think it’s going to be a great fall (once it ever gets here)!

Here are the keepers.

Enjoying God’s Beautiful World…