Floating Hummer

Gallery: AvianPosted July 7, 2011184 views14 comments

I was amazed to see this hummingbird floating yesterday, in an effort to cool off. If you look closely you can see it's just light enough to float, with the water "tension" visible at the left wing tip.
It used its right wing tip resting on the rock edge to keep it in place.
F/6.3, 1/1000th, ISO 500, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + Kenko 2x ext around 10:30, clear & sunny.
Temps at the century mark here in Central Texas, so the the hummers are not happy campers at the moment.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on July 7, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Really interesting photo Howard. I've never seen or heard of a hummingbird doing this. Terrific capture!

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on July 7, 2011 at 7:48 PM

If this isn't a first for this activity it must be at least rare. but what do I know. Great capture, Howard.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 7, 2011 at 8:41 PM

I love seeing these interesting behaviors Howard - I'm glad you posted it.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 7, 2011 at 9:00 PM

neat behavioral shot, Howard. she's got the right idea for a 100 degree day!

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 7, 2011 at 9:36 PM

Wonderful behavior Howard, I've never seen a picture of a hummingbird like this before. Excellent capture!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 7, 2011 at 10:27 PM

that's really wild... certainly never seen anything like this. Would have been great if it were facing the other way

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 7, 2011 at 10:42 PM

Definitely a post worth it. I had know idea that hummers did such things. Thanks for sharing it.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 7, 2011 at 11:38 PM

Most cool, Howard. I've had one in the waterfall of our pond and a few years ago one landed in the conventional birdbath and actually oared around for all the world like a little toy power boat (too close for the minimum focal distance of my lens, unfortunately). I really like that left wing and you got a very sharp image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on July 8, 2011 at 12:25 AM

Definitely well worth posting, Howard. Pretty neat behavior that I would not have suspected....thanks for letting us see it.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 8, 2011 at 8:43 AM

I got off 6 frames at 420mm, then made the decision to switch to the 2x ext.
I got off 4 more at 600mm before it took off, but never got a head turn..
So here's one with the head turned and further back, AND a significant crop. Flash would've helped here, but I was fumbling as it was

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 8, 2011 at 11:14 AM

Amazing that the surface tension would support it, Howard. I wonder if it's getting some lift from its wings too.....notice that they are outstretched. The evaporation of water might be causing some updraft. Very interesting post.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 8, 2011 at 11:46 AM

Very interesting to see this behavior, I guess they do not like the heat either. On the hot summer days around here I will see the hummers get drinks from the water trays instead of the feeder. Thanks for posting.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on July 8, 2011 at 10:42 PM

Most interesting behavior that I have never observed or heard about. The documentary shot has excellent techs.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 9, 2011 at 12:43 AM

Very interesting. I've seen many hummers drink from runnign water, and even land on a spillway for a bath, but never floating like this!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments