We get a lot of hummingbirds in June at Saltery Lodge. If you have ever had a humming bird feeder, you know how much fun they are to watch. This evening, it was particularly interesting. There was an adult male hummingbird that claimed the feeder for himself. This was not unusual by itself, as there is definitely a pecking order at the feeder. But what made this unique was the fact that he claimed it for a couple hours!
We had two feeders within about six feet of each other and he perched on one of them and a chased off every single humming bird that came within 10 feet of those feeders. He was extremely aggressive! So after a couple hours of this, there was quite a backlog of hummingbirds trying to get some sweet nectar. I decided to get the Canon 5d Mk ii out (which I love) and shoot some video of this hilarious bully at the feeder.
As I was filming him chasing off the other birds, some hummingbirds started getting really close to me. They would try to “feed” from the red stripe in my camera strap and the little red record light on the camera LCD! They would hover inches in front of my face, looking me in the eye.
So I decided to see if I could coax one of these little guys into feeding from my hand. I went inside and got my little point and show digital camera and a cup of nectar. I poured some into my hand and then waited, with the camera in the ready position. I held very still, trying not to scare them away. I even held still while one of them stuck his beak in my ear! That takes nerves.
After about 10 minutes, I had success. This little guy trusted me enough to land in hand and feed from the nectar. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! They are so light, you can barely tell that he was there, other than the tiny poke of his little claws.
Later in the summer, we tried again when they were really thick, and were successful again. In fact, my two daughters succeeded in getting them to land on their fingers. That was really special for them. Alaska has a lot of these unexpected intangibles that make it an amazing place to live and vacation.
See more of these pictures at our flickr page or our Alaska Wildlife Gallery at SalteryLodge.com. I will be posting more video at a later time.
#1 by Kimberly Hosey on November 25, 2009 - 9:11 am
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What an amazing experience; so cool!
#2 by Pat Sharland on January 31, 2010 - 8:22 pm
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What beautiful pictures you have taken Scott. To be able to experience the hummingbirds like you and your daughters have is a thrill to thrive for! I can see myself wanting to come to Alaska.
#3 by susan on July 10, 2010 - 12:26 pm
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wow what a fantastic place do you have local rates just watched the video of the hummingbirds very neat.
#4 by Birch Photographers on September 22, 2010 - 3:31 am
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This is really an interesting experience. What a great way to spend time with the children.
#5 by Robyn on May 24, 2011 - 8:34 am
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Oh wow, these are really beautiful close ups of the birds, I can’t believe you guys got them to feed from your hand.
#6 by Lorna on May 25, 2011 - 11:11 am
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Lovely pictures! Must have been such a wonderful experience for your to share with your children.
#7 by Danny on May 31, 2011 - 12:01 am
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That’s nice! And your photos, they’re great! the best one perhaps is the third one from the last. Keep shooting pictures! you’re very good at it
#8 by Jan James on June 25, 2011 - 5:04 pm
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Oh how special these pics were to me.
At about 3 years old I discovered hummers and have just been thrilled with them for 54 years now. One lit on a rosebush right by our steps and my father said to look there at the little creature (it was a baby and looked no larger than a bumble bee). I told him that I wanted to pet it and for him to catch it. He said no that it would die in being captured. But looking at your pics, I think they could be tamed well enough to maybe touch. My father would have loved these pics.
One summer I was eating a bowl of ice-cream in the backyard where we have had a population of hummers and a big ruby throated beautiful male came and lit right on top of the vanilla mound of ice-cream and ate. He flew around and came back for more several times. He was the fatest and biggest hummer I have seen but I just let him eat as much as he wanted. I guess it was okay for him to eat it. jj in Kansas City, Missouri.
#9 by Jan James on June 25, 2011 - 5:06 pm
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Thank you for the lovely time looking at your pics. jj
#10 by Richard on June 27, 2011 - 11:29 am
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Awesome pics! I cannot wait to get my butt to Alaska…such beauty…
#11 by Jean McCarthy on July 24, 2011 - 4:17 pm
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What an enjoyable experience watching the hummingbirds, looking at your fantastic photography (that takes patience) and your so-beautiful Jake. I do hope he is still with you, and as courageous as ever. He definitely is a trooper and it should us all a wonderful lesson. I felt so sorry for his pain after the operations but he totally recovered his speed and good nature – so back to nature for Jake.
#12 by Donna C. on July 26, 2011 - 11:55 am
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Your excellent photography, and the trust the hummingbird’s show, provide us viewers with an exquisite experience. Thank you.