My hummers

[MN Shutterbug]

I was at my Aunt and Uncle's place today, north of Appleton, and luckily they had a couple hummers in their garden. Unfortunately, the light was never right when they were in the flowers. Then again, I was just chasing them around the garden like a nut. I was able to approach the fluffed up one on the wire, within about 6 feet. The ones in the flowers weren't near as cooperative. I'm tempted to go back some morning with my blind and set up in the ideal spot. I'm just not satisfied with the bird in flower shots. However, that would be another 150 miles and I've got to save some miles on my car for this winter. So many destinations and so little money. There's Whitewater the end of Oct. for Golden Eagles, La Crosse mid Oct. with wife for the fall colors, Otter Tail area sometime this winter for Pileated Woodpeckers and I need to hit the bog again this winter.

[Nymph]

Nice shots, Mike. Find a low area with some jewelweed and you’re bound to find a few there. They are moving out of my area as it is almost done blooming around here.

[dukhnt]

Very nice x!

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks, Hutch boys.

Dave, I pretty much have to go with the flowers in their garden, though I can see where smaller flowers would make it easier. They can't bury their head in so far. I was hoping to get back tomorrow morning, but have to make money instead. Maybe wednesday will work. With this warm weather, maybe they'll stick around a little longer.

[wishing for walleyes]

Them are some outstanding photos of humming birds.Good job.

[MN Shutterbug]

Did anyone notice the little green bug on the hummer in the first photo? It's on the lower part of his chest. That's the same kind of bug that was sharing a plant with a bumblebee, in an earlier photo in the Photo Sharing forum. Someone said that they can really bite. I hope the poor little birdy didn't get bit.

I just called my cousin, and was told the hummers have left. I'll have to try again next year.

[Dotch]

The bug on the hummingbird in the photo is a northern corn rootworm beetle. This time of year they're generally feeding on pollen and sometimes soft plant tissue like flower petals or silks on late pollinating corn or sweet corn. Most perish once the weather gives us a good hard freeze. They may cause a slight discomfort when they taste test your skin as one did to me the other night but they won't leave a welt like the mosquitoes have been doing lately. Think it's likely the hummer was pretty safe. Hummers still here in greater Bugtussle as of this morning.

P.S. - Great photo's, bug included.

[Steve Foss]

I really like that first one, Mike. Plus, you're definitely getting the old evil eye in the second.

[harvey lee]

Awesome in action photo's. Priceless.