Category Archives: Hummingbird

Hummingbird flying in the searchlights

24 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Backyard Garden, bird, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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What looks like search lights in the background are actually my Fan Aloe plant I just purchased at the Sloat Garden Center in San Francisco by the Zoo. The Fan Aloe (Aloe plicatilis) plant will produce orange/red flowers in a couple of years that will be attractive to Hummingbirds. The natural lighting in the yard reflected off of the Fan Aloe plant is showing as white versus the real color of grey/green.

Shooting photographs in natural lighting is the best. If it is a sunny day, I aim to sit in my camouflage clothes in the yard between noon and 3 pm for the best lighting. My desire is to utilize the free sunshine light to highlight the creatures and plants in my photographs. I do not utilize software to brighten or sharpen my photos – thus my website and company name of “untouched”. The positioning of the sunlight to optimize the photograph is key. Shooting quickly and frequently is important to get a good picture. I love to do rapid fire shooting of my camera to increase the chances of getting that perfect picture. Photographing Hummingbirds is tricky as they move very fast, are unpredictable, and can fly in any direction. More than half the pictures I take of them are not usable as they are out of focus or they are out of the frame.

This hummingbird looks pretty classy with the curved left wing shooting to the side and up. It is also interesting how the wing is positioned to the back side position. He is coordinated to control the wings in 2 different positions. I could not be as coordinated to have my arms going in different directions.

Being a photographer makes me a little obsessive about lighting, not just for my photography, but for everything. I want our home to be well lighted for my 100 year old mother-in-law who is our light police. If she sees the light on in an empty room, she will command to turn off that light. I installed motion lights in our interior stairs and entry into our home. Our hallways also have motion lights. I have nightlights in our bathrooms. I make sure the lightbulbs are energy efficient. Having the proper lighting is important. My wife would walk around in the dark previous to our marriage. Now she is happy with all the bright lights. I can even turn on a light from my cellphone.

Let’s utilize bright natural light in our photography and keep the lights on at home!

Photographs remind us to keep the lights bright!

 

Camouflage Hummingbird Rare Sighting in my yard

14 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, bird, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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I photographed this Hummingbird last week as this was the only time he came in the yard. He flew in for a few seconds and hid behind the plants and flew out quickly. They are easily spooked by loud noises and or quick movements. This is why I try to be as quiet and still as possible. The problems with living in San Francisco, is the amount of noise in the neighborhood. It is not conducive to photograph Hummingbirds or other birds that are easily spooked.

This hummingbird is peeking thru the flowers in my yard. You can see his eye look out at me in the midst of the leaves and blossoms. It blends pretty well with the greenery. It is amazing how these creatures blend in with the scenery.

I miss seeing these hummingbirds in my yard. I am trying to figure out why they are missing. I am guessing it is too noisy lately, and they are not comfortable flying in to visit. Discouragement is not a good feeling. It causes confusion in pursuing goals. Wondering if my plans will be futile is my fear.

I was reminded life is constant change. This Pandemic life reminds me how events keep changing. So whatever is keeping the hummingbirds away will hopefully change. I am praying they will return and come out of hiding.

I can identify with this bird wanting to be hidden. I do love camouflage clothing. I wear camouflage hoping to welcome the hummingbirds into my garden. I want to blend in with the birds and do not want to scare them off. Being a good host means thinking about pleasing your guests. This has been my goal to provide sweet flowers for the hummingbirds. Recently the local news has publicized the need to be careful of bird feeders. They are getting dirty and causing harm to the birds.

SFGate Article about Dying Songbirds

I hope this is not the reason why I have not seen many hummingbirds in my garden.

Especially in our current world where Asians are being attacked, I want to be hidden in camouflage. I would fight back if I am attacked again. But I don’t want to fight or be attacked. I would prefer to be hidden and invisible.

Stay tuned to see when the hummingbirds will return to my garden.

Photos teach us hiding can be good to feel safe!

 

 

 

Ruffled & True Colors

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird

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The Hummingbirds have rarely been coming into our yard to drink the nectar of the Cuphea Vermillionaire flowers the past two weeks. They used to come every 20 minutes or so during the late morning and early afternoon. I have only seen them come in for a very quick visit and they appear skittish and fly away quickly.

I took these pictures of the Hummingbird up in a neighbor’s tree. I used a powerful zoom lens since he was far away. This bird’s ruffled feather reminds how many may look with sheltering in place. Our hair can be messy and tousled. We attend church via the internet, and no one has to see how we look. We do not need to dress up to go anywhere. We are comfortable in our sweats at home.

Do we feel like our feathers are ruffled? With all the recent Asian Assaults occurring, it is alarming and fearful. Not only do we have to watch our surroundings as we walk outside, but there are also home invasions while occupants are present. I usually am not as sensitive to outside noises. But more recently, normal outside noises are irritating. Individuals in my circle were sick with COVID-19. Fortunately, they recovered. Whenever we have big family gatherings again, there will be a couple of empty chairs of relatives who are now gone. These pandemic times are unnerving. So I feel like this bird.

What is amazing about this bird is the colors? Depending on how the bird bends his head and the reflecting light, the bright fuchsia shines on the top.  Even with the ruffled feathers, the emerald shimmering green body is beautiful. It is interesting how one moment the bird’s head looks black. Then when he points his beak up, he shows his true colors on his head and neck!

I need to learn from this bird. I need to look up where my help comes from the Lord. The light shows the pretty colors on the bird with the reflections. The Light reflection can also bring beauty and peace to each of us in the midst of a pandemic.

Can we reflect true colors even though we may be battling ruffled feelings?

Photos Reflect True Colors!

Bird Salute!

19 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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These hummingbirds never cease to amaze me with their different movements. As I sit in my backyard trying to catch hummingbirds in action, I never know what I will observe. So I was fortunate to catch the this beauty from the back with his wing curved forward looking like a salute. These hummingbirds are so quick and fast. I have been adjusting my camera equipment and technique to capture their movements.

This hummingbird is probably just moving quickly towards its next snack and meal. They need a lot of energy due to their constant and rapid flying. Usually the hummingbirds visit my yard solo. Perhaps it is the mentality of needing food with no time for socialization. This photo reminds me of a painting with the soft surrounding around the bird. It resembles the soft brush strokes of a painting. This photo would look pretty awesome printed as a canvas.

Ironically, this hummingbird is saluting no one. It reminds me how we are more isolated due to this pandemic. A salute is a gesture to display respect particularly in the military. Whether we are in the military or not, this attitude of a salute is desperately needed today. Lately in our area, random acts of violence have occurred attacking Asians. It is quite alarming. What happened to respect for all peoples? We may not look alike or agree on everything. But we should agree all people deserve to be treated with respect.

Can we remember this hummingbird’s salute and show respect with a smile to someone we do not know? Smile as a salute to help someone else smile.

Photos remind us to salute!

Calm Hummingbird Wing Stretch

18 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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This hummingbird has its body a little downward with his wings flung back as if he was stretching. He probably is just getting into a good position as he approaches the flowers for nectar. 

See if this hummingbird’s pose looks similar to the “2. Chest Stretch” from this link to lifehack.org

Stretching may be uncomfortable in the beginning, but it can help to relax and improve our flexibility. I help my wife relax with shoulder massages, which does the trick to get her to fall asleep quickly. 

During these pandemic times, it is helpful to find out what will help us to de-stress and relax. My wife discovered this celebrity trainer for Pilates on YouTube to relax. Activity helps us to release our stress. I look at my Fitbit to walk my quota of steps every hour. I do not go out to walk but just walk all over my home. Find an activity to get the blood flowing. This trainer has a lot of videos. She gives clear instructions, and my wife enjoys a challenging workout. No one needs to feel intimidated trying these workout especially if you try it alone. Plus it is FREE, and just requires 30 to 40 minutes to improve one’s mood. This is my wife’s recommendation, and it works for her.

Kit Rich Celebrity Trainer on YouTube

Having a calming garden and photographing the hummingbirds, bees and butterflies helps me to let go of worries with all the recent stress in life. Last week was pretty stressful with quite a few unfortunate events. My calm is achieved by getting out in the yard and sitting still. Waiting for the hummingbird friends to arrive which renews my soul. Sometimes they come and sometimes I miss them. But this activity is a highlight of my day.

Create your calm space to do whatever activities you enjoy to do to relax. Whether it is doing puzzles, reading, watching movies, embroidery or just praying, create a space to feel calm and peace. Make it space with plants, flowers, pictures and calming colors. Or work on your backyard as I am to create an outdoor space to create calmness in life. Having a refuge place to fling your arms back to stretch out the kinks in your neck and shoulders is the best. Create Calm in life!

These hummingbirds are the best to remind me what is important in life.

Photos can create Calm!

 

Moving Forward

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, birds, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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This hummingbird has an interesting curved wing in the back. I am constantly amazed as I see the different ways the hummingbirds position their wings. This bird looks like his chest is out, and he is proud to move forward. He looks confident and ready to tackle all the sweetness in these flowers.

Being like this confident bird is a challenge. Confidence does not come easy to me. Seeing the hurdles and obstacles instead of the opportunities in challenges can be the downfall for all of us. Learning how to jump higher to get over the hurdles is hard to do.

My first photography art show, which was many years after my college photo show, was a terrifying event. My wife happened to see an ad for a local coffee shop who was looking for artists to display their work. We planned an opening event and invited a crowd. Surprisingly, everything fell into place. I had forgotten about a lot of old photos I took about 25 years ago. I decided to choose those old photos and make them digital. I determine how the images would be displayed and planned out the descriptions to explain my work. I was pleasantly pleased with my work knowing my collection of photographs are unique and represent a special period of my photographic journey. The initial hurdles no longer seemed as high, and I realized I could jump over them.

There was a great support crowd who attended this event to cheer me on. It was a humbling and a great learning experience. I am grateful for the support I received from family, relatives and friends to give me the confidence to move forward.

Do you lack confidence to show the world who you are? I was fortunate to listen to individuals in my life who encouraged me to show who I am as a photographer. Confidence is like a building. We need a strong foundation to provide support to build and hopefully not topple over.

Photos remind us to move forward with confidence!

Swimming Through the Air

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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I’m having a blast trying to understand these visiting hummingbirds. I sit in my garden when the sunlight is the best and wait to see if they will come to visit. My goal is to be quick to shoot these graceful birds in action. When these hummingbirds visit, I sense they are watching me. They are trying to evaluate if I am safe. I can feel their eyes looking at me.

It is amazing the different ways the hummingbirds move their wings. They can fly away in a blink of an eye. I try to anticipate where they are flying to catch their different wing positions.

The top hummingbird’s wings reminds me of a swimming stroke with one wing pointed forward and the other pointed towards the back. They are naturally graceful even with their quick speed. It amazes me how a creature can be extremely quick with such angelic wings.

It would be nice if I could be as swift and move with pizazz. I took dance lessons with my cousin when she was preparing to get married. Her fiancé was not available to go with her. So I went to be her partner. We learned all the typical ballroom dance steps. It was fun. But I was no “Fred Astaire” in my movements. There was no flare in my steps. Once upon a time, I was a fast runner in track and could run to play basketball. But in dance, my feet did not work very swiftly with finesse.

It’s okay I will never be a great dancer. Every individual has a unique talent, which they can perform with finesse. For the hummingbird, it can fly with grace and speed naturally. I may not be able to fly. But I am glad I discovered my love for photography and continue to strive to capture interesting images. It took time for me to find this passion and study to become a photographer. It is a passion I seek to improve and learn the ever changing camera technology.

These hummingbirds remind us to seek out our talents and develop them to be the best.

Photos show who we are!

Beak in the Air Showing off a Spotted Throat

29 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Hummingbird

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This is a female Anna’s Hummingbird who has her beak pointed up displaying the spotted and freckled pattern on her neck! The female hummingbirds are not as colorful as the male counterpart. But she does have a nice spotted neck. She doesn’t need any necklace to highlight her pretty neck. So far I rarely see any hummingbirds with the head tilted to put the beak up in the air.

The spot pattern on this bird’s neck is very interesting. The rows of spots converge towards the center beak. The larger spots are at the base of her neck and seem to be smaller towards the beak. Maybe this hummingbird wanted to show off her spots by lifting her head and beak up into the air. The bird could even be doing a little twist with her body.

Often we associate humans with their nose up in the air with being a little snobbish. In reality, individuals who are snobbish or think they know “it all” do not vertically put their nose in the air. Sometimes we each can be a little bit proud in some area of our life.

A long time ago, I won an ice cream eating contest. I ate fast and a lot. It would be fun to have the bragging rights of winning this eating contest. Well, I ended up burning the roof of mouth due to extreme cold from all the ice cream I ate. There was a cost to earning the title of Ice Cream Eating King.

If I had these pretty spots on my neck and tried to show them off by lifting my head up with my nose in the air, I would probably irritate my sensitive neck. I already need to be careful with my bad neck. So putting my nose in the air could be detrimental to my neck.

Therefore, this photo is a good reminder for all of us to be careful of a proud attitude and putting our nose up in the air. We don’t want to hurt ourselves or other people with our words and attitude.

Photos help keep our attitude correct!

 

 

Cool Wings and Tongue

27 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, Canon, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird, Sloat Garden Center

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I took this picture last month and just noticed that the unusual wing formation on this Anna’s Hummingbird. I have not seen this type of wing formation in my other pictures. I took this picture at 1/8000 of a second at f/8 with an ISO of 4000. I also noticed the Hummingbird’s tongue sticking out as he approached the Cuphea Vermillionaire flower for some nectar.

The wing span in the front view is wide perpendicular to the bird. Notice the thin tongue sticking out as the bird approaches the flower. I assume the bird’s wing position helps expedite his travel to his food destination. I can identify with this bird’s eagerness to get the the sweet nectar. The bird is on the verge of salivating for the food.

I get easily excited about most foods. In my younger days, I could devour a large quantity of food and not gain weight. I miss the days when I could eat everything without terrible consequences. I enjoyed going to buffets and trying everything. I am still a fast eater, but ate even faster when I was younger. I even competed in an ice cream eating contest where the roof of my mouth became uncomfortably frozen.

In my Cantonese country dialect, there is a expression which literally means “neck hurts”. We use this expression to express our “hankering  for a particular food” or “strong craving for a kind of food”. Unfortunately, I do not know the origin of this colloquium and wish I knew how this saying was derived. But I can identify with the tongue wagging hummingbird. Don’t worry, I do realize I cannot allow my tongue to hang out.

During this pandemic, my wife attempts to bake or cook foods we crave. She is making different foods which we did not eat before the pandemic. Eating our comfort foods help, since we do not eat at restaurants or buy too much take out foods. We are not attending any parties or our usual potluck holiday gatherings. I am hoping to eat my favorite homemade lemon cheesecake in the near future.

If I had wings to fly, I would be flying quickly to my favorite places to eat delicious food too. I’m hoping sometime this year we can actually sit down at one of our favorite restaurants to eat. I would even be happy to sit down at a hamburger or pizza place to eat.

What does your body language show in your emotions? I will try to restrain my expression when I am free to go out and relax at a restaurant.

Photos capture body language!

How About an Insect for Dessert?

01 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in Anna's Hummingbird, Back Yard Garden, Backyard Garden, Cuphea Vermillionaire, Garden, Home Garden, Hummingbird

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I took these series of photographs in sequence as I followed this hummingbird’s actions. These hummingbirds are constantly looking for food to maintain their energy level.

It is amazing to see the different positions of this bird’s wings from the back to the side and forward. I love the forward curved wing positions.  He enjoyed the nectar from the flower and kept moving his wings while drinking the nectar.

The hummingbird’s green back blends in so well with the greenery in the garden. The Creator gave the hummingbird pretty colors to match his surrounding and to be hidden from any predators.

The hummingbird’s expression is interesting as he gazes at the insect dessert. Not sure how he compares the insect snack with the flower nectar. I usually prefer sweets over savory. But it is a hard choice since I love all food.

I can identify with the hummingbird and his constant need to feed. It doesn’t take me too long to get hungry after a meal. I often am hungry by bedtime. Unfortunately, I do not have the metabolism of a hummingbird. So I cannot afford to eat before bedtime.

As this difficult 2020 ends, we all possess an abundance of mixed emotions about the events of this year.

One of my goals during this pandemic was to get healthier. I learned to increase my steps per day and managed to lose about 10 pounds. Perhaps, I would not have accomplished this goal, if it were not for the pandemic and sheltering in place.

During this pandemic, our household tried to cook and eat different foods. Fortunately, my wife did bake comfort treats to ease our SIP mood. We needed our desserts to soothe our anxieties and the changed social interactions.

In the midst of trials, we do need good things to comfort us like dessert.

This hummingbird enjoyed his insect dessert, as he stared at his spec of a meal.

In 2021, make sure to find ways to reward ourselves, since we do not know how long until we transform into a new and better normal.

What pandemic goals will we seek to achieve in 2021? Let’s give ourselves comfort rewards for our achievements in the new year. We all need our comfort foods, but I would not choose an insect dessert.

May we find photographs to motivate us to do better in 2021!