This morning, I watched copulating hummingbirds. Unfortunately, there are no pictures—which is not a result of my lack of trying. Clearly, things are beginning to happen.
Our region has an unusually high diversity of hummingbirds for Canada: three species and, sometimes, an accidental fourth. The Rufous Hummingbird is so frequent as to be almost ho-hum—despite its considerable beauty. The other two hummingbirds are the Calliope and the Black-chinned. Other years, I have seen all three. Accidental appearances have been reported of Anna’s Hummingbird; yet, I have never seen one.
In the spring, male hummingbirds arrive first. We have had male Rufous for some time, and now females are turning up. Today, I photographed my first male Black-chinned Hummingbird for the year; I assume females will arrive later this week. I have yet to see this year’s Calliopes.
A female Rufous Hummingbird visited with a spider’s thead strung between its crown and bill tip. Hummers use these threads to glue their nests together; clearly, nest preparations are underway.
A male Black-chinned Hummingbird has finally arrived.
The male Rufous Hummingbird continues to dominate the scene.
Flying-duck travails
Pictures extend moments.
Yet, for the moment to be extended, the picture must first be taken and sometimes that is difficult. Such is the case with small rapidly moving birds and bugs. It is no accident that most of my pictures of these things show them perched rather than flying.
Mallards don’t pose a photographic problem as they are common and friendly. The problem arises when some of our less common ducks fly by. Aside from finding these birds in the first place, the primary difficulty is technological. Typically there is insufficient time to focus manually, so one relies on a camera’s autofocus. If the bird is distant, and thus small, the autofocus will usually lock onto the background, or search aimlessly against a clear sky. If the bird is close, it passes so quickly that only a really rapid autofocus will lock on to it. Often a good image becomes a matter of luck.
Autofocus probably chose these Common Goldeneyes rather than the trees because there were many of them.
This shot of distant Northern Shovelers was more a case of luck than skill.
It is unclear how Derek Kite managed to get his camera to focus on this Blue-winged Teal.
Derek Kite’s picture of the Blue-winged Teal is used with permission.
Now and then, wishes come true. This is a Wood Duck couple. I will keep trying.
