Faith

"Faith" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I spoke Friday at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia about hummingbirds for the Friends First Friday. I then led a group of the attendees through the Hummingbird Trail.

We were greeted by a hummingbird at marker #1. She hovered amongst the oak tree. Pat, one of the attendees, noticed she then lay down on her nest!!! I was speechless! They typically build their nests 10-50 feet in a tree, and their nests are the size of a walnut!

Never thought I would see a hummingbird nest! I can't wait to take photos of her babies! I am saving my favorite shot for my blog in a few weeks. I am sure I will take TONS more.

I named her Faith and her two babies will probably be Hope and Joy!

God is good! 

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

National Public Gardens Day 2015

"National Public Gardens Day 2015" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The Hummingbird Trail at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is now open! What a better day to re-open the trail than on National Public Gardens Day.

There are only a few ruby-throated hummingbirds in the Garden right now so viewing is sparse. Peak times to view the hummingbirds are July and August. Trail maps are located in the Visitor’s Center and trail markers are located throughout the Garden to identify where the hummingbirds are perching and feeding.

Best viewing recently is at marker #7 if still in bloom. Wait patiently up to 15 minutes at a marker for the hummingbirds to come. Happy viewing! 

Location: Athens, Georgia

Looking Up

"Looking Up" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Sorry I did not get to post on Monday!

The last three days have been difficult for me. My Mac computer decided it did not want to start Sunday night. I took it to the Apple store Monday morning, and I am just now getting it back. It did lose some data, but I do not know what.

 I have a lot of work to do. I don't think I lost any photographs because I have been backing them up on an external drive.

I prayed the Lord would proved a miracle for my computer and feel some of what Apple was able to restore was from prayer. It saved just the things I really needed! 

Prayers would be greatly appreciated while I am getting it back up to par. Lesson learned......back up my computer more frequently!! 

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Plump

"Plump" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography  

I usually don't post many videos taken on my cell phone, but I could not resist posting this one as my blog post today. 

Monday, I was sitting in my very small pop up chair waiting to photograph the hummingbirds.  One hummingbird was active feeding very close to my chair, so I got out my cell phone.  One got about 12 inches away to feed.  It made my day:)

Notice how plump this little guy is.   The hummingbirds go on a feeding frenzy called hyperphagia and may double their body weight to prepare for their long trip to Central America and Mexico.  

This video was taken at marker #5 on the Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

Sorry, I wish Blogger would not compress the video so much so the video would be more clear.  Here is a link to my Google + where the video is not compressed: click here.

Location:  Athens, Georgia

A Glance

"A Glance" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

The hummingbirds are familiar with my presence and become very trusting of me. I photographed this one today about seven feet away. This hummer is sitting on the Yucca plant at marker #5 on the Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

A hummingbird fed about 12 inches from me today!  The count down has begun....only about two weeks left before they leave The State Botanical Garden of Georgia.  

Location: Athens, Georgia

Constant Presence

"Constant Presence" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

The hummingbirds were active on the Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia today.  This photograph was taken at marker #17.  Two hummingbirds consistently fought for a long time defending their territory and food. 

I love how trustworthy the hummingbirds are of me.  They are used to my consistent presence.  They tolerate my camera, tripod, and gear in their living room.  I get pretty close to them, and they don't mind me much as long as I don't move too quickly.

Location: The Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia   

Show-off

"Show-off"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I enjoyed teaching my class "Where do the hummingbirds 'hide' at the Botanical Garden" this past Saturday morning.  I reminded the attendees about photographing the "in-betweens" .....the wildlife at the garden we can photograph while waiting for the hummers.  One of the photographs I showed them during the presentation was of the Red-tailed hawk.  

After the class, we headed to the Hummingbird Trail to find the hummingbirds. We found them, but the highlight for us all was probably the resident hawk that had to show off to the group and let us photograph him up close while he was on the trellis.  

Location:  Athens, Georgia

The Grand Finale

"The Grand Finale" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography  

I took a group of people through the Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia Saturday.  There was a smaller group this time of only 12 people.  The smaller group encouraged the hummingbirds not to hide from us like they did when we had a much larger group.  As we walked through the trail, they came out of hiding and made themselves known.  

It was neat to see the group the last part of the hour spread out in the garden sitting at the various hummingbird markers waiting for a chance to hopefully photograph them.  I was thrilled to look at the back of a visitor's camera to see the photograph they captured.  Others photographed hummingbirds as well.

After the tour was over, I wanted to stay and photograph the hummers because as everyone was photographing the hummers, I was helping them find these neat little creatures.  

I got out my camera and another lady wanted to follow along.  We started out at the front of the trail to no avail.  The hummingbirds were being very quiet.  I only heard one and never saw any.  We went to the back of the trail, and it was a completely different story.  They were everywhere chasing each other around!  I have never seen them in the four years I have been researching them at the garden be as active as they were.  I told the lady with me she was lucky to witness the event.  I felt like a kid in the candy store.  Normally, I would have already packed my equipment and left because of the heat and harsh light, but knew I was probably going to stay another hour.

The hummingbird in the photograph was not far from our tripods.  The hummingbirds did not care we were there.  They were busy defending their territory and chasing each other off.  The immature male in the photograph was busy chasing off the hummingbird that was right over his head. 

The photograph was shot at marker #14 at the Lantana.  They were also busy feeding on the Cana Lily and perching in the bushes in front of the column to the right of the stage.

  Location: The Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Up Above

"Up Above" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

I found this immature male hummingbird on the Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia.  He can be found visiting marker #6 in the hanging baskets:)      

Location: The Hummingbird Trail at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia