I spotted this copper rumped hummingbird in its nest while visiting the highlands of Trinidad. Hummingbird nests are very small. About the size of a golf ball, but intricately woven from soft plant fibers, spider silk, and bits of lichen for camouflage. The spider silk gives the nest flexibility, allowing it to stretch as the chicks grow. Typically built on thin branches or sheltered spots, the nests are marvels of engineering, designed to hold two jellybean-sized eggs. They can be very tough to spot, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm), ISO 400, f/8 at 1/60th of a second.
This is an amazing shot! How did you ever spot it? I don’t think I have ever seen a hummingbird with its wings still! Even while feeding the wings are going a mile a minute. Fascinating picture. Good on you Sean!
Thanks Mom, this was just walking around the grounds of the lodge I was staying at. My eyes just happened to be looking at the right spot at the right time. But I do think of all the things I must miss on my walks. The hidden animals staring back at me that I never see. This was a good one.
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I spotted this copper rumped hummingbird in its nest while visiting the highlands of Trinidad. Hummingbird nests are very small. About the size of a golf ball, but intricately woven from soft plant fibers, spider silk, and bits of lichen for camouflage. The spider silk gives the nest flexibility, allowing it to stretch as the chicks grow. Typically built on thin branches or sheltered spots, the nests are marvels of engineering, designed to hold two jellybean-sized eggs. They can be very tough to spot, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm), ISO 400, f/8 at 1/60th of a second.
This is an amazing shot! How did you ever spot it? I don’t think I have ever seen a hummingbird with its wings still! Even while feeding the wings are going a mile a minute. Fascinating picture. Good on you Sean!
Thanks Mom, this was just walking around the grounds of the lodge I was staying at. My eyes just happened to be looking at the right spot at the right time. But I do think of all the things I must miss on my walks. The hidden animals staring back at me that I never see. This was a good one.
One of the wonders of Nature, always a joy to see them here now we know a little more about them
I agree. We get them all the way up here in Connecticut too. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are quite often in our garden.
Fantastic, Sean! I have never even spotted a HB nest, much less seen one with its “resident homeowner”. Well done – thanks for sharing!
Thanks Sue. Yes, that was a good find. So tiny. Even smaller than they look while in flight.
That nest is a work of art. Thank you for sharing! So beautiful.
Thanks Rachel.