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The Station

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In much need of my therapist, I opened the cupboard door, reached in, and firmly took hold of my sanity check. From there I slid open our glass patio door to sit on our picnic bench. All Summer I’ve wanted to shoot those who come to my Hummingbird feeder and I just yesterday got around to doing it.

 

At the rate everyone is drinking my organic cane sugar water, my beloved feathered friends will soon be leaving. I was stunned to observe how combative and territorial Hummers can be. Countless times I saw one chasing another away from the feeder as though only those selected by some unknown Rule can drink from my feeder.

 

And as I sat there watching the action, I saw movement in the tree leaves above, indicating, a-ha, I have some Orioles getting ready to show. Readying my camera, I heard Hummers’ wings as they whirred close by. The huge number of Hummers and Orioles I saw while sitting there, I don’t think ever have I seen. Not in the number I saw at least!

 

Patiently I waited and sure enough, the Orioles showed. Multiple females drank and while they did so, a male perched on the branch above, as though protecting them. Amazing! When they were completely sated, he drank as well. When he flew off I attempted to get him in flight, but well, you’ll see.

Just a brief interlude with a huge thank you before you see the gallery. My last post, “Life!”, I mislabeled two of my images. Timothy and John ID’ed correctly a Kingbird for me and a Damselfly. This is my way of paying it forward.

Hummers, Bees, and Orioles you will see, all who drank from the well of sugar water that AmyRose supplies. Click on the first image to enjoy the show. All those you have already seen are included in the gallery as well with a little information about them included.

Imagine that! I got a Hummer in flight! Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Beautiful!! Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Female Baltimore Oriole. Do you see the male Oriole in the background?
Female drinking
Male Baltimore Oriole on the lookout. This is serious business! Look at his stance.
Male drinking
Male drinking
My attempt at getting the male as he flew away ….
Whoa! A BEE in flight!

Photography/ “The Station”/ Aug. 2019©AmyRose Photography
http://www.herladypinkrose.wordpress.com

75 thoughts on “The Station”

    1. Yes, Mother’s creatures are stunning, I do agree with you! Just this morning, I’m watching the Hummers flying all over our backyard, stunned again by how many this year are here. They feel so safe that they are actually perching in our trees …. something I’ve never seen in our yard. If you didn’t know, they make themselves very very vulnerable to predators by perching. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. Means a lot to me!! Have a great day! 🌟🌟🌟

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  2. Really beautiful birds Amy, you are so lucky to have both kind, where you live 🙂
    I don’t have any of them here and the Oriole doesn’t even have a Danish name.
    Thank you for sharing the beauty and much love to you ❤

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    1. Aw, thank you, Irene. It took me THREE years to entice Orioles to feed and nest here. They are extremely particular where they go and are not the most sociable birds. This year I’ve seen more then any other year, and the same goes for the Hummers. Hummers are zigging and zagging all over our backyard today …. I just came from watching them. They are also perching, something I’ve never seen them do in our yard. When they perch they become extremely vulnerable to predators, so they must feel very safe here to perch. I’m just so in awe of what I am seeing lately. I’m just smiling at the thought I shared with you birds you don’t see in Spain. It is my pleasure to share with you, dear friend. Have a wonderful day!! 🌟🌟🌟

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      1. Thank you Amy.
        I have an idea about, why you have so many birds in your garden now.
        Not so many outdoor cats to hunt them and as you told us earlier, you haven’t used so much time in your gardens, as you use to. Then they get more peace to live there without being disturbed. Enjoy a beautiful day ❤

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      2. I never stopped to think that because I’m not out gardening, we have more birds. Hmmmm …. now that is interesting. Even when I am out, those birds don’t fly away, and that tells me they feel safe around me. I’m going to really enjoy watching the Hummers today …. they literally are all over the place. I just cannot get over how many there are! So cool!! 💖

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    1. I agree, Mark, that the Orioles are exceptionally beautiful birds. I’m fascinated by them. I’ve been talking to them all Summer long, and yes they have been talking back to me. I’ve gotten yelled at by them when the feeder needs changing. For real! OK! I’m coming! Gosh I have more bosses then I know what to do with. LOL And for those action shots, I lucked out on the bee. I was shooting the feeder to get a light reading, checking to see if exposure was OK when I caught that bee in midair. My jaw dropped. And when I got that Hummer in clear, I just about shouted in triumph but decided to remain coy and quiet so as not to disturb the sugar dance. It is my pleasure to share with you what I see every day in our backyard. And OH!!! A juvenile male red tail hawk landed on our picnic bench the other day after hubby whistled attempting to get his attention. Our picnic bench is right smack in front of our sliding glass doors. Our Rusty practically went through those doors in excitement when he saw this bird. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Unbeknownst to Rusty, however, that bird was probably thinking, …”How do I get to that red thing? He would make a wonderful meal!” LOL Much Love to you! 🌟🌟🌟

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  4. Great shots AR…The male orioles are such an exquisite color but ya know, I always wonder why the male birds are created more beautiful in color? Not very fair it would seem so there has to be some appropriate reason why…Loved the bee! He almost looked silver/metallic…And of course the wee hummers who always delight. Thanks for sharing these…Hope all is well….VK ❤

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    1. VK, I will clear up the mystery for you once and for all. Are you ready? The male, especially in the birds categories, are both larger and brighter then the females. The reason being is that they are protecting their females from predators, as the predators usually go after “brighter” moving objects. It’s the way of Nature. Without the female there would be no more reproduction of the species, so the male’s role, (and he knows it!), is to stand guard AND to be the “red flag” when a predator is near in order the female is saved. Talk about heroes!
      That bee tween you and me was a luck shot. *sigh* Yeah, now I’m giving away my secret. I was checking the feeder for a light reading, when in the exact moment I clicked, a bee was in mid-air. I was shocked that he came in clear. LOL
      SO happy you stopped by to see the activity that I see every day in my backyard. May you have a great day today! 🌟🌟🌟 (It’s raining here right now. I may declare this a “down day” for me.)

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    1. You are welcome, Scott. This Summer has been crazy busy for me. Just in August (and it aint over yet!) I’ve put on 5,000 miles on my car. SO glad you enjoyed my afternoon activity in my backyard. ☺️

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    1. THANK YOU, Wendi! I’ve got tears in my eyes and goosebumps!! My husband has been saying the same thing …. Bless you for what you said. I am so so grateful and very moved!! (((HUGS)))!!! 💝💝💝

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    1. Yes, Colleen, the peace was wonderful except for the bothersome flies (grrrrr) that kept bothering me. To hear Hummers whizzing by then looking up and seeing them close by ….. thinking thinking quick could I? Nope. By the time I would swing my camera their way, gone they would be. What a commotion in our backyard this year. I just bought another feeder to accommodate the growing numbers of Hummers. I honestly don’t want them fighting over the one feeder. SO happy you viewed the sugar dance (thank you, Mark!) that goes on in our backyard. 🎈🎈🎈

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    1. Why thank you, Cathy!! SO happy you came by to view the sugar dance in our backyard. The activity here has been amazing. I just today bought another feeder …. never before have I seen such a high number of both Orioles and Hummers. Have a great day!! 💖💖💖

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  16. Absolutely stunning. Especially that Hummer in mid-flight! And the Bee. The Orioles are no less beautiful either. I don’t think we have Orioles here either. Beautiful photos, Amy. Great job! ❤️

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  17. Amy, animals must love you from the bottom of their heart and in combination with your camera and skills I am totally blown away by the photos. Most of all by how you caught that hummingbird. Great!!

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    1. Erika, I’m a creature magnet, or so it seems. Yes I have a way with animals, birds …. and then some. And when Mother allows me to see the magic that is contained only in Her world, I am both awed and humbled. Thank you for viewing the action that is so prevalent in our backyard lately. I just bought another Hummer feeder which is going up today. These birds are going through sugar water like no tomorrow. That means they are getting ready to migrate. I want to help them as much as possible. Much Love to you!! 💖💖💖

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  18. Great shots of the hummers! I really had no idea that other birds would try and drink from a hummer feeder. I’ve never seen one try – so fascinating to see the Orioles there. Learn something new every day! Really lovely shots!! Have a great day! Much love, Donna

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    1. I’m putting up another Hummer feeder today, Donna. I’ve never seen so many Orioles and Hummers as this year, especially females. Hopefully I’m not too late before they leave. I want to give them all the help I can before they migrate. SO happy you viewed the wondrous beauty that is unfolding in our backyard lately. These birds are just so amazing to watch. May your day be a great one!! Much Love to you! 💖💖💖

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    1. Thank you, YC. A new feeder is going up today to help with the high traffic in our backyard. Hopefully it will be here any minute. SO happy you viewed the incredible activity I see every day!

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  22. Wow! That Oriole is certainly a beautiful bird. You are very lucky to be able to see such wonders.
    Like you, I feed the birds, and it’s a great feeling to know that you are saving lives all the time. Every bit of sugar water helps a baby bird make it into adolescence and then independence. Without that, they may well have perished.

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    1. Oh, yes, John, I agree with you both for the fact that the Oriole is a gorgeous bird, male and female, and I am very fortunate to have them in our backyard. Three years it took me to entice them to feed here …. they are extremely particular where they feed and nest. This time of year is so difficult as I watch so many birds leave for migration. I finally hung up another feeder for the Orioles and Hummers today due to the increased number and feeding frenzy but today it has been quiet. I feed the birds straight through Winter, for those who stay here all year round. Our property has quite the reputation. (smile) So glad I gave you a peek at what my eyes see all Spring and Summer.

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    1. Thank you so much, Rabirius. I just right now came from being outside sitting on our picnic bench as I watched the Orioles …. 2 males being very territorial. I put up another feeder and you would think the fighting between males would stop. No it hasn’t. These birds are fascinating to me and I’m trying to soak up the sight of them because any day now they will be migrating. I’m so happy you saw this post, a representation of what is in my life.

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      1. Yes, they are fascinating. Living in the city it is hard to watch birds except when you go out to the parks very early. But when I do that I usually don’t have a camera.

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  26. When we sit and wait, they will come… 🙂 And of course they know they are in safe hands..
    🙂 Just beautiful Amy.. So love these little birds, such great captures even the Male who was protecting.. 🙂
    Our feeds are always full of nuts and fatballs, seeds etc, and I always make sure plenty of fresh water in the birdbaths..
    Patience pays off.. Brilliant photography Amy ❤

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    1. As I told you in my other comment, Sue, those precious birds are gone as of today. I shed a tear or two. That male who was protecting is probably the very male I spoke with yesterday. He seems to be the Leader.
      Yes patience pays off. And Bless you for complimenting on my passion for my camera and what I can do. That bee, fyi, was a fluke. I was actually taking a light reading to see if the EV was correct and in doing so a inadvertently caught a bee in mid-air. Much Love to you!! 💝💝💝

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