Adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird perched on top of a willow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last week I had a male Black-chinned Hummingbird perched on top of a willow in my viewfinder for a few seconds while high in the Wasatch Mountains.
I could wish that the hummingbird had been closer and more frame filling, that the light had been better, and that the tiny bird had been facing me so that the iridescent colors of his gorget would have shown but I won’t.
That is a lot of could have, would have, should haves for me and quite honestly I am just glad to have been there with the tiny hummingbird breathing, seeing, and doing. Having a positive attitude is what I call being grateful for the little things and in this case it was a birdy little thing.
Male Black-chinned Hummingbird in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Finding hummingbirds to photograph has been harder so far this year than it has been in previous years. Male hummingbirds aren’t perching on their favorite perches like they have in years gone by. Some of the flowering shrubs I typically find hummingbirds nectaring at shriveled up before they were in full bloom because of our continuing drought which meant I didn’t find the hummingbirds hovering near the blossoms.
I’m grateful for simply seeing this little male Black-chinned Hummingbird perched on top of a willow high in the mountains. Getting photos of it was a bonus.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-chinned Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
A beeyootiful birdy little thing. I am glad that you saw him, even briefly. And continue to worry about the impact of your drought.
What a delight to see this little fellow! Glad you had the opportunity. Weather changes do challenge the birds… this year’s February 3-day freeze along the Texas Gulf Coast killed many hummingbird food plants, and I felt for them as they scrambled to find new food sources.
Your work is magnificent! Please keep them coming.
He’s looking a little scruffy too, as if he’s been hard at work. I’m so glad you got to spend some time with him and shared that experience with all of us.