Blooming Wax Currant in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In just a matter of days Wax Currants will start to bloom in some of the lower elevations of the mountains that aren’t far from where I live and that has me excited. I enjoy seeing these flowering and fruiting shrubs in bloom but I also know that when they are in bloom I can have great opportunities photographing hummingbird sipping nectar from the blossoms, guarding their territory and buzzing around the shrubs. The blooms also bring me many opportunities with the butterflies that feed on the nectar.
Hummingbirds often have favorite perches within their territories and knowing that has increased my chances of photographing them resting, preening, lifting off and landing on those perches plus action shots when they defend their territories.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird male resting on a favorite perch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last year I spent a morning photographing several Broad-tailed Hummingbirds near just one Wax Currant bush and since then I have identified other areas where these currants are abundant and that are close enough to the shoulders of back roads where I should be able to park, wait and photograph hummingbirds to my heart’s content.
As a bird photographer I’ve found that it helps me if I pay attention to the environment I am in and to take stock of the plants, shrubs and trees in the areas I travel to especially if they provide food or shelter for my feathered friends.
There are approximately 11 native currant and gooseberry shrubs that grow in Utah and many if not all of them are attractive to hummingbirds when they are in bloom. The trick is to know when they are flowering because they don’t stay in bloom very long although the currants and gooseberries do bloom later in the season at higher elevations than those at lower elevations.
Finding birds to photograph isn’t just about “seeing” the birds, it is also about having in depth knowledge about the birds and being aware of their diet and habitat preferences.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Broad-tailed Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos.
I love Hummingbirds! Vibrant colors and flying capabilities that a jet fighter can’t match. Airplanes, another love. I watched a documentary recently with my brother and I’m still exhilarated by the piece. But you can be close up and personal with them. Enjoy!
Mia, thank you for sharing the fruits of your knowledge with us!
Beautiful.
I am endlessly grateful that you have the knowledge AND the expertise.
I have seen them around my yard and neighborhood, they should be at higher elevations soon.
I like the color you captured on his throat.
I love seeing the hummingbirds and have observed that they return to certain perches, and if I have the patience to wait…Yes, that is why you are successful-you know the birds, their habitat, habits, foods, etc. as you have written. Thank you for the reminder. Great detail in the photo.
Lovely photos,Mia