Saturday, February 28, 2009

Special Request!

I received an email from a friend who's name I won't mention (Judy Kolo-Rose, shhh...). She wanted to know why I didn't post a photo of the Sapphire-vented Puffleg from behind, obvious, she says, because of the name.



Well I can take a hint! So here ya go...



Feel free to contact me if you want to see something...you never know what I will post!

Back to our regularly scheduled blog...

A Sword-billed Hummingbird. What an amazingly long bill!


So, where was I? Oh yeah, in Ecuador WHERE IT DOESN'T SNOW! Sorry, a little winter burn out here...

I thought I'd post a few more hummers for you to enjoy! I really have to thank Jane Lyons and Edison Buenano for their hospitality and help in finding all of these gorgeous birds during our visit to Reserva Las Gralarias.

A tiny Green Thorntail.

Sapphire-vented Puffleg, cool boots, eh?

Tawny-bellied Hermit


Violet-tailed Sylph with a VERY long tail.


The Velvet-purple Coronet was my favorite Hummingbird of the trip. We saw this one during a rainy day and he certainly brightened things up!

Maybe after I get my share of the governments bail out money, I can go back for another visit...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

We interrupt this blog...


Hot Dog!! It's officially spring in Bay Village! We had our first Red-winged Blackbird of the season at the feeder in our front yard. His shoulder markings were very bland, but it's early in the season.


There have been quite a few of our feathered friends migrating through of late. Sunday we had at least 16 Northern Cardinals, the most this season, and about a dozen Dark-eyed Juncos, we normally only see two to four at a time.


The Warblers will be here soon.
Now back to your regular blog...

Monday, February 23, 2009

So many Hummingbirds, so little time...


A sleepy Shining Sunbeam, truly a ray of light.


After viewing the Hummer photos from my last blog, I kept thinking about the number of them in South America, especially Ecuador. Here in Ohio, we only get the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds on a regular basis at our feeders and flower gardens.


But south of the border, it's craziness! These little speed demons are found only in the Americas and there are over 300 species to be found. I think we've only seen 41 species so far, we have a long way to go.


Here's a few of my favorites. You'll note that quite a few were shot in the rain, that's why they call it the 'rainforest' I guess. It makes for more exciting shooting. No flash, dark over grown habitats and REALLY fast moving birds. It really is fun though!

Andean Emerald, actually sitting still...for a second.



A Booted Racket-tail, looks like he has his fuzzy slippers on.

Buff-winged Starfrontlet, very big names for these little creatures.


Fawn-breasted Brilliant, more brilliant in real life!


The Great Sapphirewing, can you imagine getting that at your feeder?

I have so many more photos I would love to share. Photographing hummers is a special challenge that I don't always succeed at, but I always have fun. Wow, some of these are even from the right side. I better be careful or I'll have to change the name of my blog!

This may take a couple of posts for my favorite pics...