The Best Seven Seconds I've Had This Summer

About six feet away from my chair on the back deck, there is a hummingbird feeder. I placed it there strategically this year, hoping to have a close view while I relax in my chair. They’ve recently started sipping on that feeder but I had never been ready or willing to take a chance on scaring them away to get a photo.

It was around ninety-nine degrees that day. Sofa king hot... Leaving dinner on the stove and the dogs inside the cool house, I sat in my chair for at least five minutes which seems like an eternity when you’re sizzling. I knew that a hummingbird would fly in every few minutes, so I struggled to be patient. Camera was focused on a close-up setting, zoom adjusted. I held it in my hands just under my chin, ready to fire away. A living, breathing tripod, I was! I didn’t dare reach for iced tea. Only my eyeballs moved, scanning the area…

All unedited,

Out of focus, but I’ll take it. Juvenile male, I think, outsmarted a territorial, vicious adult male to have a chance to sip.

This is better. I prayed he would stay just a little longer. Take a drink, sweetie.

Off center this time, but I'll take it. Take a long drink. The coast is clear.

BAM. Now that's kicking it up a notch. Don't go away, sweetie. (I talk to hummingbirds.)

You're curious, aren't you. It's only me, the nectar lady.

BAM! A hummingbird's school portrait.

(Click to enlarge the photos)

For a minute or two I sat there smiling and enjoying what had just happened, knowing my personal best hummingbird photos were saved inside my little Kodak.

Went back inside the house to check the stove, all the while thinking,

Now what?

Oh, no. I’ve just raised my own bar.

Will I ever be able to do this again? Worry.

Now I will need to work on wing and tongue action and, patience.

Dinner can wait.

Skipping along the way to the computer, with fingers crossed, I just couldn’t wait to see the little green gem and count its feathers ;-)