Finally, I have finished the video describing in full detail our experiences hand feeding hummingbirds in Alaska. Were it not for a little hummingbird I called “Rufous,” these pictures never would have happened. Thanks Rufous!
Would you like to feed the hummingbirds? Check out our Ketchikan Tours available for cruise ship passengers at our lodge!
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You can purchase “The Shot” at Alaska Grand Photography for a reasonable amount.
Thanks everyone for their encouraging comments on Alaska Grand’s Facebook Page, I read them all. They are so kind!
If you enjoyed, the video, please rate it in YouTube and share this URL: http://www.salterylodge.com/blog/taming-alaska-hummingbirds with other people.
There is also a short link for you twitter folks: http://bit.ly/ae4DwM
Here is the video. I sent it to YouTube in high definition, so if you have the bandwidth, make sure are playing the bottom one and it is playing at “720”, If you find that it stutters too badly, You may have to play the top one. I suggest playing the video in full screen by clicking the 4 Arrow button in the lower right, if your computer can handle it.
Low Res Version
High Def Version
Hand feeding these hummingbirds is not really that difficult. It just takes some patience. If you want to try and feed these little guys, then wait until they are swarming around your hummingbird feeder. This is usually in the early morning or late evening. Then simply remove the hummingbird feeder and hold your hand with nectar in it out for the hummingbirds. Hold really, really still. It also helps to break up your human outline by standing next to a post or using something to break it up.
You too can feed the hummingbirds! What an experience!
#1 by Roni Delmonico on February 10, 2010 - 4:12 am
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Hi Scott,
I was one of the people who commented that your hummingbird photo just took my breath away.:-) What a wonderful video! Now I know the story behind the photo and I think it’s lovely that you made a video so we could see it ourselves. I hope someday I can visit your beautiful Saltery Lodge. I have no doubt it would be one of the great pleasures of my life…
Roni:-)
#2 by Bill Britten on February 10, 2010 - 11:39 am
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Dear Scott,
I watched the video 3 times in a row and was truley amazed. My wife and I are humming bird Lovers and care takers in southern California.
I found out that I have cancer last year and I just had surgery to remove a very large tumor along with my entire left lung. I am recouping at home now and when I saw your video I was so moved by the magic and majesty in it that i just had to write.
I have not had any work in over a year so I know we won’t ever be able to afford a trip to Alaska so plaese let me know if you make any more videos because I would love to see them.
Thank you and your family for a moment of pure joy.
Bill Britten
#3 by Scott Kemp on February 10, 2010 - 11:52 am
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Thank you so much! I took a bunch that day, but that photo stood out! Seems like my ratio of pictures to GOOD pictures is about 100:1!
#4 by Scott Kemp on February 10, 2010 - 11:55 am
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Bill, so sorry to hear about your surgery. I hope your recovery is speedy and complete. I do plan on making more videos, If you use the email subscription on this blog (upper right) or if you Fan us on facebook, you will stay informed. Thanks so much for the compliment.
#5 by Barb on March 1, 2010 - 11:22 pm
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Beautiful! I’ve had the privilege of doing something similar with the hummers that visit our feeder. Some of them have even let me pet their tails! This summer, I’m going to try the hand feeding, too. It should go well…after all, I live on Hummingbird Drive.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful video of those amazing little birds!
#6 by Jan Taylor on March 26, 2010 - 4:02 pm
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As all have said so breathtaking I love all creatures and much envy your event. So proud of you for caring. This has happened in my home town of Owensboro, Ky. I work at Home Depot as a cashier my favorite site is the garden. So I happen to meet up with a great lady who spends her summer patiently waiting to feed the hummingbirds from her hand also, however I have never got to view it. Thanks for some awesome moment. Jan
#7 by Stephanie on March 31, 2010 - 3:58 am
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WOW!!!!! My mom loved Alaska and made 2 trips there in fact had just come home from there when she beacme ill and was dx with cance and died 7 mo later. I hope to be able to go to Alaska in memory of my mom. Thanks for sharing the video. I will keep your lodge in mind if we can make it to your area.
#8 by JEAN GARRISON on July 27, 2010 - 3:12 pm
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THIS IS SO AMAZING. I LOVE HUMMINGBIRDS. WE HAVE THEM FROM TIME TO TIME BUT I THINK MY DOGS KEEP THEM AWAY. I WOULD LOVE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING. HAND FEEDING THEM. AWWHHHHH SO CUTE.
#9 by Kathy on October 14, 2010 - 5:04 pm
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WOW! I would love to feed them from my hand, they are so beautiful.
Truly one of God’s most wonderful creations.
#10 by Kathy on April 10, 2011 - 6:17 pm
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Wow Just Loved this… I am going to try it with my humming birds.. This is truly amazing.. Thank you for sharing
#11 by Missed Period on April 15, 2011 - 4:59 am
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i have love birds. they say it can be hand fed,too. your video is encouraging! thanks!
Aneurysm Symptoms
#12 by Lindsay on May 10, 2011 - 9:19 pm
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I love hummingbirds, their so cute. I read a lot of articles about these little birds.Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm (3–5 in) range. They are really small, I did not try to holds these birds because I’m afraid.(laughs) But i like to have these birds in our home.Anyway, I really enjoy watching the videos. Thank you so much for sharing.
#13 by Wendy Sherwood on June 10, 2011 - 6:49 am
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Thanks so much for sharing such beautiful creatures with all of us. I have only seen one ruby-throat pair in our garden
so far. They are very inquisitive and are truly fascinating birds. One was trapped in our garage once. She tired herself out trying to fly over the top of the garage door. My husband was able to catch her finally. She was so tiny. She just relaxed in his hand immediately and even rested for while before
taking off again.
#14 by jimmy dick on June 10, 2011 - 9:05 pm
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feeding sugar to hummingbirds sets everything out of balance and will eventually kill them off. it takes a few generations but if you want to feed them let the things they need continue to grow or grow the flowers they need. sugar is a slow poison to them. they need pollen. same goes for everything from birdseed to letting the bears get in the trash. a fed bear is a dead bear.
#15 by Diane on July 3, 2011 - 5:48 am
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Scott, can you post what camera & speed of film you used to get these shots, especially the still ones (what shutter speed, etc.). I’m a manual camera (Nikon RM) beginner, & it would help me to learn these details, so I can take shots of hummers here in NM. Also, what lenses you used, and whether you used any flash (bounced or straight on)? Did you shoot in early AM or late PM, to get better lighting?
Thanks!
#16 by Karyl Friedman on July 27, 2011 - 12:14 pm
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This is truly spectacular. I am watching my dear little friends as they feed from both the oriole and hummer feeders. They don’t care which! As I watch them I am watching your video. Pure joy! I will try hand feeding.
Each a.m. as I open my patio door, the little female is there to greet me right at the door. We gaze at each other as she hovers, then is off to have her breakfast. It’s such a special moment.
#17 by Peggy East on August 1, 2011 - 11:04 am
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I enjoyed the hummingbird video so much. They are the most facinating creatures to observe. I Have several who visit me. What is the nectar made of that you feed the hummers? I just give them 1c. sugar to 4 cups of boiled water and cooled. Am I doing something bad for them?
#18 by RUTH CLARK on August 17, 2011 - 2:51 pm
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THIS IS beautiful enjoyed it VERY MUCH !! THANKS
#19 by Sally Bethine on September 5, 2011 - 9:08 am
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Hi, next spring I am going on my first Vancouver – Alaska boat trip with some friends on their 50 foot yacht. I will bookmark Saltery Lodge for a stop and possible day tour when we arive in Ketchikan.
#20 by Rachel Howard on September 19, 2011 - 4:03 am
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Amazing little birds. Truly they are one of the most our God created. Hand feeding hummingbird..its really cute! You did a beautiful video, Scott. My new blog: learn how to sing
#21 by Christine on October 1, 2011 - 9:06 pm
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Just wanted to say that those are amazing videos! – thanks for a great post.
#22 by zoltan on October 11, 2011 - 4:28 am
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I have taught a robin to feed from my hand but it took a number of weeks to get to that stage. For these tiny hummingbirds to so readily do this really does seem like a miracle. Many thanks for a really amazing video.
#23 by Jane Zamora on October 12, 2011 - 7:26 am
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The video looks amazing. I think the hummingbirds eating out of my hand would be an experience that I would look forward to. I could almost feel the tickling sensation when the birds land on my hand.
#24 by Melissa on November 16, 2011 - 5:19 am
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Hummingbirds are birds that can fly backwards which most bird can’t do it. and it can flap wings 12 to 90 times which is fastest than the other birds. This kind bird is small but fascinating.
#25 by Claire McQuade on December 12, 2011 - 7:12 pm
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I have seen lots of humming birds but with the video that you have here, I was able to discover something about humming birds and how we can feed them. thank you for this blog of yours, This really is very interesting for me.
#26 by Norm Yoder on January 30, 2012 - 10:18 am
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A beautiful, amazing video!! I love watching these guys hover around and on our feeder. Early in your video a small banner pops up about your nectar recipe and substitute for the red dye and a request to read the description. I was unable to access that information and was curious as to where I might find it. I use 1 part water to 4 parts raw sugar with no color added. I think the red coloring is possibly more attractive to them. Thanks for making your wonderful video available to us.
#27 by Howard C on March 11, 2012 - 9:02 pm
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Feeding humming birds satisfies the person’s needs, not the birds’. While I agree that the pictures and the video are truly amazing, I’d say let the birds live the way nature intends them to live, and try to find peace in knowing that your inaction actually saves the birds lives. Please do not offer any commercial options with tourists involving humming birds even if your intentions were pure to begin with. God bless you.
#28 by D Foxley on March 19, 2012 - 9:52 am
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Loved the video and overall story. However, one thing should have been mentioned: THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAND-FEED THESE SMALL BIRDS WASH AND DISINFECT THEIR HANDS BEFORE PUTTING THE NECTAR INTO THEM. The birds can contract e-coli, and other bacteria, from human hands.
Thanks.
#29 by Fisherman Alaska on November 22, 2012 - 6:40 am
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Amazing video. How did you do that? Who wouldn’t love to have these bright little creatures in the palm of your hand? I’ve always been drawn to Alaska for the amazing fishing experience and exquisite fishing lodges in Alaska but now, I’m very certain that there’s more to discover in this wonderland.
#30 by Lodges in Alaska on December 2, 2012 - 11:15 am
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Interesting video. This bird-man encounter is amazing. If there’s on lesson to learn from this video; – these sweet little birds have brains, and are capable of trusting humans. Humans must all learn to be one with there immediate surroundings.
@FIsherman Alaska, Lodges visit the linke below for an interesting fishing trip http://www.ketchikanalaskafishing.com/ketchikan-lodge-registration.php
#31 by Darlene on February 22, 2013 - 3:43 pm
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Just beautiful would love to purchase video to give a friend that has Cancer of the liver and she just loves Hummingbirds. Please leave me know how to do this. Thank you Darlene
#32 by Valentin on February 23, 2013 - 1:43 pm
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Thanks for finally talking about >Taming Alaska Hummingbirds – The Story Behind The Shot |
Saltery Lodge Blog – Behind the Scenes at an Alaska Fishing Lodge <Loved it!
#33 by Ads dating on April 18, 2013 - 5:17 am
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It is very much interesting topics and there are included many advice what is helped all man. i like it.
#34 by Hermine on May 11, 2013 - 9:03 am
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Do you mind if I quote a couple of your blogposts as
long as I provide credit and sources back to your site: http://www.
salterylodge.com/blog/taming-alaska-hummingbirds/.
Please let me know if this is acceptable to you. With
thanks