While there are still more photos I plan to post of Thompson Peak, I can’t help but to take a break and show this pretty little gal who posed so nicely for me this morning. Even though the light conditions were far less than good when my wife told me there were hummers visiting her Tiger Lilies and it might be a good chance for a photo, it’s always worth a try. Several turned out fairly well and I may post more later, but this was my favorite.
Female Rufous Hummingbird
Montana Outdoors 
She’s just sitting there waiting for you to take her photograph and also looks like she’s waiting for that flower to open just a tiny bit for some sweet nectar. That’s a very sweet capture!
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Comment by kcjewel — August 8, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
That’s exactly what we thought. There were many flowers fully open and she spent quite a bit of time with them, but this pose was when she was taking a break.
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Comment by montucky — August 8, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
Ooooh, so rare to see one sitting still. Just perfect.
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Comment by kateri — August 8, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
They sit sometimes on a dead branch in a lilac tree, but seeing them sit while having a camera handy is another thing entirely.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:11 pm
Wow…you got one sitting. She is a pretty little one, isn’t she? Nice work, Terry!
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Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — August 9, 2010 @ 6:58 am
There were several really working some Tiger Lilies and we were lucky enough to see them.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:12 pm
Amazing shot! How very beautiful! She is such a lovely bird!
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Comment by Anna — August 9, 2010 @ 7:00 am
She really is lovely. There have been several pairs here off an on all summer.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
What a gorgeous capture.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — August 9, 2010 @ 7:38 am
Thanks Bo.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
Beautiful!
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Comment by Maureen — August 9, 2010 @ 7:49 am
Yes, I think they are among the prettiest birds.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
I see them sitting on my clothesline (like pins) but can’t get close. This is a great shot.
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Comment by sandy — August 9, 2010 @ 11:08 am
It is tough to get a decent shot. For this one I just kept shooting and actually did pretty well with some of the tries. This was with the Nikon 70 – 300mm lens.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
Isn’t she a tiny darling?! Very rare to see one sit still! Lucky you!
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Comment by Barbara — August 9, 2010 @ 11:35 am
Yes this was truly a lucky shot. I’ve found them to be difficult subjects. These stayed around long enough to get several good chances.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
I’ve been lurking on your blog for a while now, and I just had to comment on this photo. What a stunning shot. I can’t quit looking at it. The colors, the background, the detail is amazing.
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Comment by Robin — August 9, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
Thank you for visiting, Robin! I wish I could say that i carefully set it up, but anyone who has ever tried to photograph a hummingbird knows better. I thank Nikon for their 70 – 300mm VR lens.
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Comment by montucky — August 9, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
Nice! Different colorings than our eastern humming birds who have been dogfighting around the flowers outside the kitchen.
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Comment by knightofswords — August 10, 2010 @ 7:57 am
Yes, I saw that this is a western species. Same feisty spirit though.
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
Lovely! We don’t have humming birds here in the UK, so it’s always a treat to see photos of them.
🙂
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Comment by Val Erde — August 10, 2010 @ 11:07 am
I didn’t know they weren’t there! They are a real treat to see, either at a feeder or patrolling the flowers.
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
Looks like she picked the bud to match her coloring – nice capture.
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Comment by Daveabirding — August 10, 2010 @ 11:14 am
She did, didn’t she! Most of the lilies were in full bloom but she chose to sit for a few seconds in that spot among the buds.
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
Oh that little gem of a bird is sooo pretty! What a fantastic picture! You have out-done yourself!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — August 10, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
I have my wife to thank for this one. She noticed that there were several feeding in the Tiger Lilies and let me know. I quickly put the zoom lens on and took a bunch of shots; some worked.
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Beautiful! I am amazed by their resilience. Even up at 10,000 feet, they were zipping around feeders in Costa Rica!
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Comment by scienceguy288 — August 10, 2010 @ 5:22 pm
Yes, they are much hardier than you might suppose.
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
She’s a beauty! I’m so glad you decided to post her so we could get a look at her too! Gorgeous shot!!!
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Comment by Tricia — August 10, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
The little things as so pretty, but it takes a photo to get a good look at them because they are so busy. I will post some soon of one in a group of lilies. I sure had fun with spot focus in there!
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Oh, wow, a hummer sitting still. She’s gorgeous! Love this shot.
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Comment by Candace — August 10, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
I like the shot myself, especially because, to me at least, it portrays the hummingbird attitude.
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Comment by montucky — August 10, 2010 @ 10:31 pm
what a gorgeous picture! Hummingbirds are so pretty! I’ve never seen a Rufous before: I usually just see ruby throated. Great post!
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Comment by songofthewolf — August 11, 2010 @ 10:14 am
that is gorgeous! never mind the light conditions-looks like this one is just right!
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Comment by silken — August 11, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Thanks silken!
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Comment by montucky — August 11, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
Great photo, Dad! Wish I could get one of the one here but he/she’s always attacking me. 🙂 love you!
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Comment by Anonymous — August 13, 2010 @ 12:36 am
Thanks! I’ve found that hummingbirds are photographed when they’re ready. Love you too!
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Comment by montucky — August 13, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
So gorgeous shot. I have not seen this bird, but it is very beautiful.
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Comment by sartenada — August 13, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
Thanks sartenda. This species is found in the western U.S. The male is even more colorful.
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Comment by montucky — August 14, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
Amazing capture Terry – love it!
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Comment by stacey dawn — August 14, 2010 @ 5:50 pm
Thanks Stacey!
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Comment by montucky — August 14, 2010 @ 7:48 pm
Had you of cropped this photo with just the bird and the orange thingie showing one would have to really study the photo to figure out if this is some sort of strange bird with a wild tail. However, the bird is beautiful and the plant is gorgeous as well. Great photo.
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Comment by Preston — August 17, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
I see what you mean: I hadn’t thought of that! He is sitting right on top of that big bud1
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Comment by montucky — August 17, 2010 @ 6:27 pm