Summer’s End

Mid-September, I look out the back, and here’s this hummer “guarding” the four feeders  . . . well, more like half-guarding-half-sleeping.

It’s sitting on the flower basket, dozing off against the morning chill (it was overcast, and the light was bad, so I’m shooting at a high ISO, meaning more grain), and woke at the sound of the camera snapping the photo.

That made it fly to the hanger for the feeder, where it promptly resumed his guard duties.

But, to its credit, the shutter noise did get its attention . . . really, I need to get a camera that does not make so much noise.

This time it realized where the noise was coming from . . .

. . . and gave me “the look”.

The title refers to this being the last of this year’s hummingbirds photos; the end of Summer per my personal way of marking these things.

To be sure, we had hummers until nearly two weeks ago, but I didn’t snap any picture of them. They were obviously not my ‘regulars’; probably migrating birds, and very reluctant to let me get close, let alone snap a photo.

My last two feeders are coming down tomorrow, it being two weeks since I’ve seen the last one. That’s the recommended wait time before removing feeders.

Last year we had bad weather by early October, and were worried for at least one hummer.

This year we think they are done passing through. But back to my friend. I’ll only post a few shots here, but the SmugMug Gallery HERE has the whole series.

Anyway, it had returned to the basket handle, still giving me ‘the look’.

. . . and even posed a bit, giving me a bit of profile.

Next it did what still mystifies me about birds . . . they leave a perfectly good, perfectly flat perch location, and go perch on a slope.

Look to the right!

Look to the LEFT!

Sleep!

And once again, the shutter noise startles it . . . and it don’t look pleased!

All of the above (and more in the gallery) were shot with my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens . . . but since I’m already shooting a high ISO, and the photos are already grainy, I done grab my 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lens. Better zoom, but slower lens, so higher ISO and more noise.

Yes, it’s still trying to sleep.

Vigilant!

. . . dozing off . . .

Vigilant!

. . . eyelids gettin’ heavy . . .

Must. Stay. Awake!

What’s that on the inside of my eyelids?

I’m awake! I’m awake!

I hope it made it to its winter-ground. 

Most of all, I hope it comes this way again, and perhaps even decides to stay.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o o o o o o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Astute persons might have noticed these doodles, and correctly surmised they hold some significance for me, and perhaps for humanity at large.  

If you click on the doodle, and nothing happens, this is the link it’s supposed to go to: https://disperser.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/palm-vx-and-i/.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at Disperser.Wordpress.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.