This week the Show Me A Photo Contest is all about birds and food. Many thanks to @nelinoeva and the Feathered Friends team for running this awesome contest!
What do hummingbirds eat?
(Fujifilm X-T4, 200mm, f/4.8, 1/1600, ISO 2000)
I photographed this female Anna's Hummingbird I today. Hummingbirds consume food all day long, taking in up to half their body weight in nectar and bugs. Apparently, they will visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers per day!
The birds in this post are all feasting on the nectar of Grevillea juniperina flowers, commonly known as a prickly-spider-flowers. Hummingbirds just love these flowers and there were a dozen or more of them buzzing all around me. If you want hummingbirds in your yard you should absolutely plant some Grevillea juniperina bushes!
Today I was able to get within six feet of the birds and I stood there for a half-hour taking shot after shot. My zoom lens will focus as close as six feet and I noticed several times the birds got too close for me to capture.
Hummingbirds are so quick it's normally difficult to keep up with them but today they gave me plenty of chances.
Above: here's a shot of a male which can be identified by its bright red throat.
I'm not sure, but this next one may be an immature male. Notice the tiny red or purple spot on its throat. If you're a hummingbird expert, please let me know if I'm correct.
Here's one more shot of a hummingbird drinking nectar.
I had a lot of fun photographing these hummingbirds. I sure hope you enjoyed the photos!
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