Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Meet Little Maverick


Hummingbirds have been scarce this summer and when we did see them, it was only one at a time. About the middle of August, this male began staying around the back yard. He would feed and then perch in a nearby tree. If any other hummingbirds came to the feeders, he would promptly chase them off. Normally, it was a female or a juvenile. Sometimes the "intruders" would stand their ground or air, as it were, and miniature aerial dogfights would commence. I unofficially named this male Maverick because the dogfights reminded me of scenes from Top Gun.

(Since these photos were taken, the hummingbirds have disappeared. Our recent cooler weather may have prompted them to begin moving farther south.)








Apparently, little Mav wasn't very impressed about having his own personal photographer.


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36 comments:

Nancy J said...

I like each one so much, myabe the raindrops on the leaves,Super colours, did he know you were there? Thanks for sharing this beautiful bird with us. Cheers,Jean.

eileeninmd said...

Awesome shots of the hummers, Brian!

Andy said...

As usual Brain you have great photos. I think you are right about them moving on. The last couple of weeks there's been a few going to the Rose of Sharon in my backyard. I haven't seen any since the cooler weather.

chica said...

Que lindo,perfeitas fotos!!abraços, lindo dia!chica

Joe said...

Awesome shots. We didn'r seem to have as many this summer either.

Andee said...

Those shots are awesome!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Awesome shots- I had to take my feeders down because of the red wasps.

Beth said...

Beautiful shots Brian. I haven't seen one hummingbird this summer.

TexWisGirl said...

he is quite the little brute, isn't he? love the hunched posturing and the fanned tail, and you got some great feather detail in that scalloped gorget!

great new header, too! or should i say green new header. ;)

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

You got some beautiful shots of this hummer. I had several at my feeder earlier this summer. Then they disappeared so I hung out a regular feeder. A few days ago I noticed one trying to eat out of the regular feeder so I put the hummingbird feeder back out. There is one domineering one that won't let the others eat.

Dina said...

Amazing detail you caught. Especially in the red collar. Hopefully he's headed down here. I'll tell him you said hi.

Gail Dixon said...

These are superb!! Puts my hummer shots to shame. Great name for this feisty little critter. Had to lol at him sticking his tongue out at you.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Amazing -- I am so in awe of everyone who is able to "catch" the hummers. Yours are absolutely vibrant (and a little sassy!)

Findlay Wilde said...

The orange feathers look like shiny bright fish scales, really nice pictures. From Findlay

Linda said...

These are amazing! The detail in the feathers - the iridescence - and the colors...just gorgeous!

Lindsjö taxar said...

beautiful little bird, love all pictures, we dont have them here. Great capture you did!

Neil said...

Great series of a beautiful bird.

Carole M. said...

oh my goodness; what superb photographs. I'd have been busting with excitement to get these posted! Wished these little treasures could catch the winds this direction, right into my backyard! Your photographs are fantastic!

barbara l. hale said...

Such beautiful birds! Your photography is outstanding!!

Ida said...

Absolutely Fabulous photo's of Maverick. The color and clarity in your first shot blows me away.
I can't believe you actually were able to find one that would sit still long enough to have it's picture taken. He may not be impressed but I sure am.

FAB said...

Thanks for sharing your gorgeous images of this beautiful bird. Great series Brian.

HansHB said...

Beautiful photos, so nice to see!

mick said...

Beautiful bird and photos. It would have been great to watch his aerial fights!

Mary said...

Ohoooo wow..that has such detail. I love those little birds and the color on this one is great...Great capture.

Gillian Olson said...

Beautiful bird and great details in your photographs. They are amazing creatures to watch, they first time I saw one with its tongue out cleaning up its beak I was blown away.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shots of your little maverick, Brian!

Grandma C said...

I like little Mav's attitude. lol
The colors are amazing on those little birds.

renae said...

My goodness gracious - what amazing photographs of a very colorful birdy. I didn't know they were so colorful. thank you for helping me know that!!!!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

These are wonderful, brilliant images of these little friends. Come 85 miles west and you will find all of these little mates right here on Tingsgrove. They are here in many numbers right now and usually stay put for another couple of weeks, and then, I too, shall be missing them. 2 years ago, the ones traveling down from the north, passed through until mid October. They say to keep a feeder out, just in case, they need the extra fuel~

Anni said...

So beautiful, they are!!! I love to watch them...we had two that stayed here all summer long, but now they've become quite busy protecting their 'feeders' as more are showing up these days.

I especially like the one you captured with the tongue out.


Silent Silhouettes

Kerri Farley said...

STUNNING! WOW! Little Mav is cool!

LB @ Bullets And Biscuits said...

Looks like Maverick had his good eye on you the whole time ;)

Sharon M said...

They are beautiful photos. That is one adorable bird.

Pamela Gordon said...

Amazing photos Brian. I have seen a hummingbird sticking it's tongue in and out while sitting at the feeder. There were the usual amount here this summer even though it was very dry and there is still the odd straggler coming to the feeder this week. Last year the last one that I saw was on Sept. 22 which is quite late. It is quite warm here this week and sunny so I expect they will still be around. I'm keeping my feeders filled with fresh food just in case.

Deb said...

so pretty...I love the colors...

Bonnie K said...

Those photos are stunning! Thank you for sharing such beautiful closeups.