Female Black-chinned Hummingbird hovering under a honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I took these female Black-chinned Hummingbird photos as she fed on the nectar of a honeysuckle last week high in the Wasatch Mountains near an alpine creek. I heard her wings before I located her visually. Once I was able to lock onto the hovering hummingbird I took this series of five images.
Spring female Black-chinned Hummingbird feeding from a honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Black Twinberry Honeysuckle still wasn’t fully in bloom but they were more open than the last time I photographed a female Black-chinned Hummingbird in this same stand of honeysuckles on May 18th.
Female Black-chinned Hummingbird hovering while feeding from a honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The tiny hummingbird poked her long slender bill into the honeysuckle blossom and chirped softly. I listened to her calls and the buzzing sound of her wings as I took these images.
Black-chinned Hummingbird female after feeding – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the female Black-chinned Hummingbird was finished feeding on the honeysuckle she backed away from the yellow blossom and hovered near it briefly.
Female Black-chinned Hummingbird with an eye on me – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In this last image I kind of felt as if the female hummingbird was giving me the old “stink eye” before she flew off. She wasn’t of course.
On this Memorial Day morning I can see on I-80 traffic cams that there is fresh snow high in the Wasatch Mountains. I hope this little hummingbird stays warm enough to make it through the night. I also hope her food sources will withstand the cold.
The good news for this long holiday weekend is that we have gotten some rain down in the Salt Lake Valley. We needed the moisture and we might get more today.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-chinned Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice images of the Black-chinned hummingbird (BCH). I was away for a few days and hurried to replenished my feeder. Before very long I had male and female BCH taking many long drinks and attacking for more. This was around 8 pm. I always boil the sugar solution and this time left it a bit warm. They liked it.
Wonderful series of Hummingbird action shots. The yellow/gold flecks of color are really cool. Thanks Mia.
What an absolute beauty. And charmer.
I hope she survives the colder weather – and am very glad to hear that you have had rain.
My last 4 years experience is they chirp like that when excited. So fun to watch! She should be good. She will find a sheltered location and go into torpor. I hope the snow helps provide some protection for the blooms. Is it getting down to a hard freeze?
Supposed to be down to 26°F there tonight
Mia, those are nice photos of the Hummingbird. I don’t see them very often. They are close to the area but never could get them to a feeder. I think they like cooler mountain areas. Have a nice day.