Quidditch At BBR
Every day I get to watch a quidditch match here at Blackberry Ridge. The hummers dart about from one feeder to the other and seem to be playing a quidditch match as they vie for a place at the feeder. If you've seen Harry Potter movies...and who hasn't...you'll understand what it looks and sounds like. It's a great sport to watch and it's free admission!
Any attempt to photograph this territorial game results in just a big blur. This is as close as I got to capturing it:
Here are a few solo shots of them coming in for a landing. They're not that good, but they're better than the ones I took in previous weeks. Hopefully, the pattern will continue and the ones I take next week will be improved over these.
One thing I know for certain: they're drinking up nectar so quickly that hardly a day goes by before I have to refill the feeders. Here's the dinner party from yesterday evening:
Post Note
It seems the quidditch has made it to the muggle world. You can read about it here or have a look see here:
you have manage to stop the time. excellent work
Posted by: vaggelis vlahos | July 03, 2008 at 03:55 AM
Gosh I love birds. haven't seen hummers this year. I wrote a poem about one who fluttered on my cheek one sultry night .. sk I have 10-15 sandhill cranes at one time in my yard. Years ago so many pretty parakeets until Hurricane Andrew
Posted by: sandy | July 03, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Lovely pictures - I don't know if they can become much better ;-)
...and how fun isn't it that quidditch has made it to the muggle world!?! The brooms, however seem to be more in the way than a helping tool ;-)
Posted by: Sara on Safari | July 03, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Those are lovely. How would you improve on them! Fantastic shots.
Posted by: CountryDew | July 03, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Aren't they fun to watch! You did a great job capturing the frenzy. Have a great 4th!
Posted by: susan | July 03, 2008 at 06:45 AM
Wow June! These are PERFECT!! And the dinner party...I just can't believe they all ate there at one time! They NEVER do that for me.
Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous post!
Posted by: Kerri | July 03, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Thanks for the supportive comments re: my photo skills. I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist :-)
Posted by: June | July 03, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Wow June - Those shots a great - especially the closeups. Wonderful.
Can you believe that I've never seen a Hummingbird?
And for the Quiddich? Eeewww! That looked and sounded pretty stupid.
If you're a bit short of Magic, don't try to play! ;)
Cheers, Klaus
Posted by: Klaus | July 03, 2008 at 07:23 AM
They are a bit different from our Ruby Throated hummers, amazing little birds. AMAZING shots, your pics turned out great! I have tried to capture them but they are too quick for me and my camera.
Posted by: Rob | July 03, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Those are spectacular shots! The only way I know to eliminate the wing blur is to use two or three flashes in strategic positions. If you have the equipment and are so inclined Google it for some advice.
I think these are terrific as are, though... more natural to the eye :-)
Posted by: JC | July 03, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Awesome shots! Those little buggers are so fast...
Which camera did you use?
Posted by: ronbailey | July 03, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Wonderful pictures, how can you do better?
Posted by: Dick | July 03, 2008 at 11:59 AM
You and I have hummingbirds and bees on the brain. :) I was recently at a state park with several feeders and just had great joy watching all the hummers. :) I don't think I got a pretty shot like yours though. :)
Posted by: Lisa's Chaos | July 03, 2008 at 05:46 PM
These are all very good. Our hummers don't share like yours do. Ours are very territorial and only visit our feeders one at a time. When another shows up, they fight!
Posted by: John Roberts | July 03, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Ron, used my Nikon D40X with 18-200mm lens...zoomed in to 200.
Rob, our hummers are the ruby throated too...these are females who don't have the red throat like the males.
John, Our males are very territorial too…those pictured are females and they seem to share until a male comes.
Thanks all for your compliments!
Posted by: June | July 03, 2008 at 08:25 PM
I am amazed at those humming bird pictures. Beautiful!
Posted by: Kim | July 04, 2008 at 06:31 AM
As always, stunning photographs. Your images are consistently sharp and crisp. Mind if I ask what you shoot with? Camera & lenses? I know its not just equipment...it's you. But good equipment sure helps. :)
Posted by: Robert | July 04, 2008 at 06:36 PM
June these are just amazing shots and I am so jealous!! I have been trying to capture hummingbirds for a while now! I also think the bee in the previous shot was excellent too! *-)
Posted by: Kahshe Cottager aka Jen | July 04, 2008 at 09:11 PM