Having to wait for a delivery today, I had to entertain myself at home. Luckily there is a small family of House Wrens that I wanted to capture, so heading outside I went below the Magnolia tree where their home is.
Making a racket, quite displeased that I was there, the House Wrens were elusive within the trees and bush. After feeding nine mosquitoes, I decided to put some bug spray on, so I could stay out longer. I knew the shot I wanted and was willing to wait for it.
First this female Northern Cardinal showed up. i think she had been dipping in the jelly jar.
After some patient waiting, finally the House Wren went on the roof and I was able to get the shot I was hoping for.
But I still had plenty of time to kill. Lots of it. So while out, I happened to notice a hummingbird darting in the front garden bed. Mind you, I’ve been trying since spring to get hummingbirds to stay in my yard. With three feeders that I change the nectar regularly, and place it immediately where I saw one. I’ve had no luck,
As fall migration is around the corner I have been trying the past six week to get the hummers to visit and stay at the manor. Once I saw the hummer today, I quickly ran in and made a fresh batch of nectar. Placing it right where I saw it, I sat on the porch waiting. Camera lined up and ready to go.
While I sat there, I started to ponder on this new mode of life. In fact, Jerry of Quiet Solo Pursuits had a similar musing earlier this month. With wildlife photography, one must slow down and really wait for life to happen. For the first half of my life, I’ve lived like a hummingbird. Flitting as quickly as possible from once place to another.
What is the better way to experience the world? To go as fast as possible to be able to see and experience as much of the world one can see? Or is it better to slow down and truly appreciate the details of the experience.
Either way, I like this new slow-mode. It’s so much more relaxing and less stressful. Time seems to go slower. Waiting did pay off with three visits by the hummingbird in 45 minutes.
There was one more shot I was hoping to capture today, and that was of an American Goldfinch sitting on the flowers. Although the boys were singing loudly in the trees, only the girls stopped down for a snack.
Certainly all that waiting paid off. Hope you enjoyed slowing down a moment with me. Bella
It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Birds, Nature
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Thanks for the shout out! Waiting seems to pay off much better for you than it does for me. 😉
I think the real winners are the mosquitoes that feed on me. I was out for almost two hours. Worth it, for even a few images. Got to bird somehow!
I’d be willing to feed the skeeters for any one of those photos!
Just gorgeous pics….love the birds
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Wonderful shots and thought provoking words. I totally agree about the value of slowing down, but it’s often hard to do so.
Thanks Mike. I was really wondering what I was doing just sitting there. I’ve never really done that at home. Always busy around the house. It’s nice to enjoy what one works hard for now and again. Hope you get to slow down too sometimes.
great series. just do what comes natural – it’s the right thing.
That’s wonderful words Paul. Truly appreciate the support.
Ever so wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Great to see you Pit, thank you so much for your compliment.
You’re most welcome.
Btw, I admire your patience … in feeding the mosquitoes. 😉 I don’t have (much) patience waiting outside for the good shots.
Thanks for the great laugh. Indeed, I need to stop the habit of feeding the mosquitoes. Thanks Pit.
Such wonderful photos, What lens did you have on your body?
This is the Canon 500mm with 1.4xx Extender. Pretty crazy stuff right?
exceptional images..good as any I have ever seen anywhere! well worth the wait in at home!
Now that is a huge compliment. WOW! Thank you so very much. I think it was worth the bug bites too. Been cave hunting lately?
Not for awhile – I am waiting for a new grandson who is due to be born later this week – so I haven’t been too far from home…but I hope to be going in a week or so…
That is very exciting news ! Congratulations early and I know you’ll be so happy to meet him when he is born.
Thank you!
Great shots Bella – especially like the goldfinch shots against that glorious backdrop of yellow flowers.
Thank you so much Mark. I’ve got anther sunny day today, perhaps I can get the boy goldfinch on the black-eyed Susans. Hope you have a great week.
Woaa nice, I love how busy birds always look… doing their own thing.
You are so very kind. Indeed, birds are always up to something aren’t they. They never rest, making me feel like a lazy bum.
Beautiful captures! Well worth the wait. Totally agree… I’ve only recently started to really slow down and live for the moments that are happening now, enjoying the natural world around me… nature is wonderful, life is wonderful! Awesome looking lens by the way! 🙂
I’m so happy that you have been able to do that. Life is so much more enjoyable when you can slow down and ‘smell the roses’. Congratulations to you and thank you so much for commenting.
Beautiful photos. I sometime have to sit outside for hours to see my hummingbirds appear. But they’re worth the wait.
I’m thrilled to know I’m not the only one that thinks it’s great to wait for hummers. I always am excited when I see them too. 🙂
Love the pics of the black eyed Susan’s as well as the quote at end of your post. I’ll have to read more of this site, nice work!
– 1Quest2theNext
Hi Quest,
Thank you so much for your visit and kind words. Great meeting you and hope to see you back soon. Bella
What amazing shots! Gotta say, those yellows — and that composition with him (her?) sitting so perfectly on the flower — is absolute perfection.
You are so kind ! How are you? Hope you’re doing well, and wish you were here playing with the birds with me.