36 of 52: 2014 – Hummingbird banding.

Week 36 of 52: Male ruby throated hummingbird

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Decided to combine the photo of the week and a blog write up together.

Went down to Sugar Grove Nature Center last Saturday 8/30/2014 for the Hummingbird Festival.  I was on the first tractor pulled the wagon / trolley.  When it stopped 5 little girls all went shooting by me to a table.  By the time I figure out what was going on, they were lining up to adopt a hummingbird.  I was tenth in line.  They only caught 9, so I didn’t get to hold and release one, but Audry and I both got to feel a hummingbird’s heartbeat.

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About a week before they take down all their feeders all over their grounds, except for 3 down at the blacksmith’s shop.  Then the day of the banding, they put the feeders into the 3 remote controlled traps.  They use a remote control to shut the door once a hummingbird lands on the feeder.  They then hand catch them put them in little silk bags and carry them into the shelter.  They measure the length of the birds bill, and wings, and then put a small number band on their leg.PBKJ2553-FrameShop

An eighty year old lady was third in line to hold one.  The bird sat in her hand for almost 3 minutes.  You should have seen her smile.

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Poor little Audry only got to hold a hummingbird feather.

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Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent

35 of 52: 2014

Week 35 of 52: More Canvas Wraps have come in (Hummingbird August, and the Snowy Owl cover)

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I have been shooting some this past week, but wanted to keep the blog focused on the 2015 Wildlife Calendar project.  My local CBS television station is shooting a special interest segment on me and the calendar tomorrow.  So I wanted to keep the blog current with Calendar info.

You can get either of these canvas wraps via the Kick Starter link.  We are almost halfway through the 45 days and only 40% funded.  Pledge away!

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Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent

 

33 of 52: 2014

Week 33 of 52: Bumble Bee

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While trying to photograph Male Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, this one bumble bee kept getting closer and closer.  He didn’t want anything to do with, just the flowers.  I was so close I had to walk back to the car and grab my second camera body with my 100mm macro lens.

Don’t forget, not too late to get a copy of my wildlife calendar over on Kick Starter.

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Thanks for stopping by!
Kent

32 of 52: 2014

Week 32 of 52: Hummingbird and honeysuckle

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Took a day of vacation today to golf Panther Creek in Springfield Illinois.  A Facebook friend and fellow photographer Brian MacKenzie had invited me to his hummingbird garden several times.  So I drove separate and took my gear.  The male didn’t cooperate, but was able to catch up with several females.  Be sure to stop by Brian’s Facebook page and give him a like.  Thanks for sharing your garden Brian!

Enjoy what you read and the photos? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right!  Feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kent