Saturday, February 22, 2014
Baby Hummingbirds
I was doing yard work today and was about to trim off a branch from a low hanging tree when I noticed what looked like a small nest. I tried pulling the branch lower and I could see two sharp beaks sticking out, but no movement. It appeared the small birds were dead. I got my camera and a ladder to try to get a decent photo, but it was tough going. The ladder was unstable, the wind was blowing the branch around, and I noticed a mad hummingbird buzzing around my head. So you will forgive my less than perfect focus on these shots!
Eyes closed and no movement, so I was worried they weren't alive. But moments later, the eyes opened and all was well. I took my photos, grabbed the ladder, and allowed mama hummingbird to get back to work!
I would estimate the diameter at the top of the nest to be about the size of a quarter at most, probably smaller and closer to a nickel. These little guys are really tiny! I'll check on them from time to time, and if I can get any updated photos, I'll post them here. Hope your weekend is going well!
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It feels like a miracle to witness things like this!
ReplyDeletePerhaps they know to keep themselves dead when their surrounding is strange with big movements and strange sounds. Nice shots.
ReplyDeleteBravo! This is a really sweet shot!
ReplyDeleteI found a hummingbird nest in one of the trees in our front yard many years ago. The babies took short trips, as they tried out their flying skills, and one day were gone! I carefully took down the nest and put it out in the garage. DANG IT! Our collies got hold of it and ATE IT! Grrrrr!!! I was SO MAD! We do have a couple of hummers who stay in our yard all year. In fact, one of them buzzes around our front door, apparently after the spider webs which hang there! Maybe a new nest is in the works?
ReplyDeleteCheryl Ann ~~
Glad you mentioned the size. I've found them in the desert before. It is amazing how small the nests are.
ReplyDeleteWhat luck to see the babies - and how lucky for them you were careful and left their branch. Great photos. A friend one time had an old hummingbird nest - it was so tiny it was a wonder the babies and mama could all fit in it.
ReplyDeleteFabulous capture. They are such tiny birds.
ReplyDeleteBaby hummingbirds...amazing captures!
ReplyDeleteSplendid - there is a possibility that I will break my humming bird drought this week! Looking forward to some desert shots as well - the main problem is that I have to go to conference sessions as well! How inconvenient!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Lucky catch! I once stumbled upon a hummingbird's nest with just the eggs inside - looked like tic tacs!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, totally awesome! I have never seen baby hummingbirds or even a nest, so this is a treat for me.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh how cool is that??!!! We had a robin nest in the tire of our Jeep a couple years ago and I guess that was big compared to hummingbirds nest. Awesome find and I'm glad you saw it before chopping the branch... Hoping for more pics of them as the weeks go by...
ReplyDeleteWhat a miracle to see. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteHow precious! I love hummingbirds!
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing shots.
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