I did not realize how long it has been since I posted anything! Summer is a tough time. It is hot out and it is not my favorite time of the year to be stumping around looking for animals. Combine that with some family visits and other distractions, makes for a two month absence.
I have been hanging out in my backyard with my camera and favorite summer obsession; Hummingbirds.
Last fall I replaced a lot of my shrubs with plants guaranteed to attract hummingbirds and waited anxiously all winter and spring to, one, see if they survived and thrived, two, if they really attracted the tiny birds. Yes and yes to all questions. I have a plethora of birds buzzing, eating and fighting in my backyard.
I planted Agastache Blue Blazes, Agastache Desert Solstice and Monarda Bee Balm. The Hummers love them all.
These are a few of my favorite photos so far.
Northern Desert Photography 
So lovely!
Thanks Barbara! 🙂
They are the best family members! Love the photo!
They are like family. 🙂 Thanks Cindy.
Amazing photos! Those are beautiful shots!
It’s always great when the hummingbirds fly in. I’ll hear them chirping and buzzing around. I’ve had luck planting trumpet vines. They seem to like those. They fly from one end of the yard to the other.
Yes, I look forward to their return every summer. My backyard is like a top gun school! 😉
Lovely! How close do they allow you to come to them?
Thank you! Once they get used to you they pretty much ignore you and let you get quite close. They often buzz me and fly right up to my face and hover there. I set up a chair close to the plants with a good book and enjoy the show. 🙂
What joy that must be!
Gorgeous shots! So nice to see a new post from you 🙂
Thank you for the nice comment and welcome back. 🙂
Great capture.It must be noisy with all the birds though in the mornings.
It is noisy but I love all the chirping and buzzing the little guys do. 🙂
Gorgeous photos. I do love hummingbirds.
I know you do. I have seen your lovely photos of them. 🙂
They are my favorite part of summer.
Best hummer photos I’ve seen in a long, long time. In California I had hanging fuchsias on the porch, and hummers were constantly fighting over them. I’ve only ever shot one halfway decent hummer photo though!
Thanks Alli. Do you have hummers where you are now? I can’t imagine summer without them.
I do have hummers, and they drain the feeder quickly because although I have a couple of acres I so far have been unable to persuade any of the wildflowers that they like to take up residence here! I think I’m going to have to get a new gas tank for the tiller to replace the one that some varmint chewed into last winter (really!) and turn over the soil so it will be more encouraging to wildflower seeds.
As far as summer obsessions go, this is an excellent choice. Happy to hear that you are reaping the rewards of your new landscape. The hummer on Monarda is superb, my favorite.
Thanks Nick! Yes, I can think of lots less healthy choices. 😉
Hey these are great! Hmm…horses to hummers.
Your pictures are fantastic! Lovely little hummingbirds…
Thanks Caleee. 🙂
Magnificent!
Thank you!
Love those hummers!!! Totally understand about the not wanting to go out in the heat thang. It’s ok to take a blog break, no worries! PS, do you know what kind of hummingbird this is? I’m guessing female and possibly Anna’s but I can’t be sure of the relative size. Do you get the smaller Allen’s over there? I miss seeing these beautiful little birds. NY has only one and I rarely get them in our yard. Enjoy yours!!!
Thanks Lori! 🙂 I think it is ‘s a female Black-chinned. It could be an Anna’s as well. They are difficult to tell apart. I have lots of Rufous right now too. I will post some of those soon.
The photos are beautiful. Nature’s gifts for us.
Thanks John. I feel the same way. These little jewels are gifts. 🙂
You are right and you are welcome.
Spectacular – really great!!
Thanks! 🙂
*makes a sound full of wonder and amazement which sounds a bit like ‘ooooooh’
Love the hummingbird and seeing such sharpness.. great work 😀
Thank you Pieter. 🙂
Wow! Those are fantastic hummingbird shots! Really lovely. Thanks for sharing.