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A Rare Photo... a life lesson!

I have always wanted to capture a photo of a hummingbird in flight, but it is almost impossible. If you're a photographer, you know what I mean. I went into the backyard this afternoon to help my son do the yard-work, and we noticed that the bougainvillea tree needed some trimming.

As I got closer to the thorny limbs, I noticed a hummingbird sitting on the branch not two feet away from me. Getting a shot like this was like capturing lightning on film. Definately a rare photo opportunity.

I slowly backed away, ran into the house, grabbed my Panasonic with the Leica lens, and managed to return before the bird had received clearance from flight control. This time, he let me come within a foot to capture this shot just before he flew away. These birds are FAST! In two seconds, he/she was gone!! I took 40 shots in burst mode and got a couple really good ones from different angles.

I know this has nothing to do with anything, other than sometimes, it's just being in the right place, at the right time. Isn't life the same way?

Sometimes we are in the right place at the right time, but sometimes, we just miss it! I am guilty!

For me, today was a lesson in life. I have never been able, or quick enough to get a photo of the hundreds of hummingbirds I have seen in my lifetime, yet I have always wanted to. It's true, good things do come to those who wait. Are you reading between the lines here? What good things are waiting to happen for you. Don't give up, they may be just around the corner!! Don't miss your Kodak Moment! :-)

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 05/19/2007 10:49 PM

Comments (153)

photography, hummingbird, lessons in life

Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
Post is included in group: Photography
Post is included in group: Out Of The Box!
Post is included in group: Great Shots!
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153 Comments on A Rare Photo... a life lesson!

MAY

2007

Those are incredible photos! Thanks for sharing. Your hummingbirds look totally different than the ones we have here in Texas.

nice job. nice post.

I got it. Great message. Gorgeous flick.

Hey Brad, they photos, great blog as always :) thanks for this sharing , keep the good blog my friend, I am always watching your blogs :)

Great analogy and lesson. I am a photographer too and right time, right place is so true!

Brad -- this is awesome. It is a virtue to wait for just he right moment. I am glad you got this wonderful photo -- it is inspirational.

Gorgeous - and great analogy

Humming birds are truly a wonder - thanks for the pics.

Very rare cool shot.

thanks for the photos they really are great!

Nice shots... I miss our hummingbirds. We got them every spring, but this year it has just been too dry and none of the flowers really bloomed. Maybe next year.

What a great post! I hope more good things are waiting around the corner for you tomorrow. Have that camera ready!

Brad,

Those are some fantastic pictures. I especially like the second one.

MAY

2007

Great photos.
We were fortunate this year to have a mama hummingbird build a nest right outside of one of our office windows. As the days passed we watched her sit on the nest and then 2 little babies hatch and grow. We watched as they grew from little tiny lumps of feathers to full sized hummingbirds. As the days approached when they were ready to leave the nest we watched as they would stand on the edge of the nest and practice flapping their tiny little wings. After about 2 days of practice flapping, 1 of the babies took a short flight, and then a longer one and back and forth to the nest. Within a couple more days the other baby who was also practicing by flapping his little wings was ready for take off as well. All during the time they were in the nest mama was so attentive and would come and go bringing them food. We also got some wonderful photos of these cute little creatures.

We have been so fortunate this year with nature.... the 2 baby hummingbirds, then a nest of 11 baby quails, and now a nest of 2 baby doves. All these great birds, plus a baby bunny all within our yard.

This is one of the things so great about living in Gold Canyon Arizona.

Carolin Benjamin
Bob and Carolin Benjamin
The Benjamin Team
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
Gold Canyon Arizona

Brad, great post - great Kodak moment. I got to see several hummingbirds outside Zion last year - if I'd know how tough it is - I'd have worked on a picture. I love the way you wove an insightful analogy - life is being prepared so you don't miss those special moments and opportunities.

Very nice photos Brad. I love to watch little hummers.

Marchel - thanks! Now you got me curious, what do the Hummingbirds look like in Texas?

Dave, thanks!

Janessa - glad the message came through... :-)

Thanks Ray, and I yours...love your blog, the graphics, and the content. I need to spend more time reading and commenting to those who have been so gracious with their comments to me. Till the next one... :-)

Jeff, right place at the wrong time can make for some interesting photography too! LOL :-) Thanks.

Joan - thanks for the comment. The inspiration and lesson for me, is actually worth more then the photos. Boy, they aren't kidding when they say a picture tells a thousand stories.

Abraham - click on "Hummingbird" in the post, and you'll see just how fascinating these birds really are. They are the only bird that can deliberately and immediately fly backwords. Their wings can flap at up to 80 times per second. The only bird that can hover. Thanks for the comment.

Thanks Bob, glad you like it. It is very RARE to capture one of these. I will value the photos and the lesson always.

Mott - being ready is key, I have to agree. What awaits us around the corner, isn't always what we expect or are prepared for. I always try to look ahead at the big picture. We can't change the past, but we can be ready for the future. Just like the hummingbird can hover as he prepares and gets ready, so can we, but we get too busy at times and that's when I think we miss the little moments and messages in life.

John thanks, glad you enjoyed them!

Jason - sorry they haven't come around to see you guys this year, feel free to print out these photos to enjoy until they return. You could put them each into a 16x20 frame, double-matted, in solid KOA wood...and then send me a check for 800.00 for the photos...(Ha Ha He He) :-) Sorry Jason, just havin some late night fun. :-) Thanks for stoppin in!

Jeannie - you are too kind. I will have my camera tomorrow, going to an A's vs Giants game. Another Battle of the Bay. I'll see if I can get some good shots at the ballpark tomorrow.

Michelle - I shot the 2nd one first and visa versa. I like the contrast with the green in the background, but I have to agree with you, my favorite is the 2nd one. Thanks for your opinion, it is appreciated.

Carolin, thanks for sharing that, what a great story and how awesome it must have been to see that transition. I love it! Sounds like you live in a place that's "For The Birds" LOL. Actually, my father lives in Arizona, but he's down in Hereford. Says he has coyotes, but never mentions the Birds. Thanks again for sharing your experience here on my post, it's very clear that you really enjoyed witnessing that. I'd love to see some of the photos if you don't mind sharing. Feel free to post in the comments anytime. :-)

Cyndee - you are so right, how do we be prepared for the unknown though? I'm not always as prepared as I'd like to be, but I am getting better. Active Rain is a great example. I took my boys to see Shrek 3 tonight (cute movie) and had no idea that all these comments would be here when I returned. Was I prepared? No, now I am falling asleep at my keyboard trying to keep up with all of them, I think blogging is another difficult thing to be prepared for. You just have to be ready to go at the drop of a dime. Get those thoughts out on paper, or ya miss the moment and the opportunity.

Doreen -... they are so hard to see sometimes, I am thinking of picking up a feeder tomorrow, see if I can get some more photos. I'd love to get a photo of one just hovering in the air. That would be cool!!

Brad, you are an inspiration. Wonderful analogy and I love the pictures! We're lucky enough to be visited by hummingbirds each spring but I have never seen them stop anywhere...they flit here and there so quickly while I watch in amazement. I've never been able to get a picture. Yours are awesome. Thank you for both the lesson and the pictures!

Brad,

From all of the comments, you can see we truly enjoyed your photos. First time I've EVER seen a hummingbird that wasn't in motion.

Love the post Brad. Patience is a virtue. The pictures are really good. My grandmother always had a humming bird feeder outside her kitchen window. They really are beautiful and amazing litle birds.

WoW! Great pictures! Hummingbirds are fantastic creatures! I have a blue heron that likes to go fishing in my creek out back. This was the first year I have ever seen one. I have been trying to get a good picture but he won't let me get up close at all. The robins on the front door wreath did co-operate with me for a while!

Maggie - thank you for always having such positive and kind words to leave me. I think looking back, you have commented on almost every one of my posts. You are the inspiration! I still try to find the balance between reading and writing posts, and reading and writing comments.

Next time the hummers come to your area, set your camera on sports mode, select the "burst" option, then just hold down the button and shoot away. You'll get the shot, but you have to really want it! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos above and the lit'l lesson in life I was able to share. These are the things in life that are priceless, I just love to give them away!!

That's a beautiful photo!!

Diane - I can see the photos were a hit! You know, I have always loved photography and travel. I wanted to work for National Geographic as their photographer when I was younger. How did I end up in the title business?!?! I still want to get that photo of a hummingbird in flight, I'm not giving up! Come to think of it, I think this is the first time I have ever ever seen one not in flight too. Thanks Diane :-)

Bryant - my grandma and mom both had one of those feeders in the yard, we use to watch the hummingbirds chase away other birds 2-3 times their size. The hummingbirds wings make the humming noise, but they also have this little chirp that they use when defending their area or their feeder. I used to try and get photos, but they were always blurry, out of center, and never up close. Humbly speaking, I am quite proud of these photos. I even got this one with his eyes closed. I miss those days in grandma's yard.

What a beautiful picture Brad, and a great way to start Sunday. I am going out to my garden right now to visit with all my little hummers. Great post.

Lizette - first, thanks for your comment, second, you should get one of these panasonic cameras. I have a 12X optical zoom which I didn't need for these photos, but I was prepared to use. I have taken photos of stuff I couldn't see with my own eyes that only the lens could pick up. It's a great camera, and I bet you'd get some awesome shots of your Heron with it. It is one of the best cameras on the market for the price. I have a link to it in the post above if you're interested. Thanks for always commenting on my posts, I owe you some visits, I'll be by your blog in a bit...we're off to a ball game today!! Thanks Lizette

Thanks Christina, glad you enjoyed them.

Thank you Janet, I think the hummingbird in my yard flew your direction and should be in Walnut Creek about now. (LOL) Enjoy your time in the garden today, there may be some "Life Lessons" to be learned out there for you too. Have a great Sunday!! :-)

i love those birds They are so pretty. I love watching them as they seem to just hover.

Thanks for sharing this Brad. We let so many beautiful moments go by just because we're in a hurry.

Brad - beautiful pictures and how nice that you shared them here for us to see as well. Love the message - I try not to miss too many Kodak moments, but there are always some, unfortunately.

Great reminder!
Ann

Brad-

Beautiful pictures and wonderful message. It's great that you finally captured this moment on film : )

GREAT photos! I am also glad you finally put a name to that bush in my yard. It grows wild. I was always told as a child it was called the "crown of thorns" bush and that is what Jesus's crown was made from.

THANKS AGAIN!

Beautiful pictures!

Brad, I also love hummingbirds! I have a feeder outside of a window in my family room that I can view while sitting in my La-Z-Boy chair. I get so excited when they are there. They truly are an amazing bird. The ones we have in Ontario are greenish in colour. I have posted a pic of one feeding on my feeder last summer. My picture in no way compares to yours. I need to get a new camera.

Hummingbird

Hey Christy, thanks for Hovering by.... :=)

Keith - you hit the nail on the head...you get it! Don't rush thru life and miss the best parts of it!!

Ann - I think the goal is to have no regrets. Make time, take time, for play time. The best kodak moments are the ones in our minds and memories. Every once in awhile, we are fortunate to capture some on film, but some can only be captured by our hearts. ....man, that was deep! LOL Thanks Ann :-)

Kelli - been waitin along time for this one, I am glad I got them. Always happy to share too...

Jeffery - Ours does not grow wild, it actually has trouble staying alive. I was going to whack it down, but after seeing the hummingbird on there, and getting these photos, I felt kinda bad cutting it all the way down. So we trimmed it instead. The thorns are big and sharp. My son hates the bush, it always gets him when he's mowing the lawn. Not too sure of the history and connection to Jesus, but if a crown of thorns were to be made, that would be the bush to use.

Sally - Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa! Glad you liked them! :-)

Kathy - that's a great shot! Thanks for sharing. This is an example of where having a 10 - 12 times optical zoom lens would allow you to zoom in on the hummer, and not loose quality or scare him to flying away. I really love the DMC-FZ7 panasonic. It's a great bridge camera and very inexpensive. I think I paid 249.00 from B&H Photo online. Love your photo of the hovering hungry hummer! :-)

Brad, those are incredible shots....and I love the camera as well. I go to B & H, that is one terrific store, a city block long.....and am looking for a small camera! Thanks for sharing both :)

Great pictures, I didn't think they sat still long enough to be able to get a photo.

BEAUTIFUL!!!

I agree... great analogy. ANd it's a great shot.

jeff belonger

MAY

2007

Carole - at least on-line, B & H is not like finding a needle in a haystack. I have become so spoiled with on-line shopping. It's cheaper, faster, more concise, and I save more money in gas than I spend online. (hehe). You're right, B & H is HUGE...that's what I love about them. Oh, Glad you liked the photos too.. :-)

Laurie - They don't! That's why I have always wanted one, and felt lucky and blessed to get this these! :-)
Thanks Laurie for checkin in on me, and helping to keep my blog alive! You're great!!

Julie - and so are you.... :-)

Jeff - Thanks, I respect your opinion, and appreciate your comment very much!! I love when a photo can tie into a life lesson, then a post, and then touch so many people in a positive way. Just a second in time, shared with others, and then turned into a lasting journal of appreciation of life! I'm honored and humbled! I hope this post remains on the web, long after you and I are gone...

Brad,

I am glad the little guy waited for you to go get your camera. The shots are amazing & it almost looks like he was hamming it up for the camera. That's what photography is all about, being at the right place at the right time AND having your camera with you!

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos.

Thanks Debbie, I appreciate your comments. I don't always have my camera, but am making more of an effort these days. Luckily, it was nearby for these shots. :-)

MAY

2007

Beautiful pictures, Thank you for sharing.

MAY

2007

These are awesome pictures and the blog "ain't no chopped liver" either!

MAY

2007

Brad, wooowww, I took me a lot to come back and check the answers, I noticed a lot of comments here :) that's awesome, well, what I have to say? Keep the good blog hahaha :)

Theresa, thank you and it is my pleasure...

Gwendlyn - glad you like the photos, can't say I've ever even had chopped liver... LOL :-)

Ray - you are the man!! Happy blogging my friend.. Oh by the way, I am for Liddell but I think rampage might take him. My money is on Liddel. Enjoy your weekend everyone! ;-)

MAY

2007

Brad, rampage won, bahhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was a very luck punch, and I believe that the Ice Man it does not have the same reflexes as before, I meant some early years, so that affects a lot, difference in age, it is almost 10 years, so that makes different. but I do not like rampage, I hope that someone knock him in the next ones, his attitude sucks !

MAY

2007

Ray - sorry to hear that, I too was for Liddel, oh well, maybe next time! Float like a hummingbird, sting like it's beak? I don't think that's how it goes, just trying to bring the post back to the hummingbirds and the lessons we can learn in life!! :-) Looks like Liddel learned a lesson this week huh? Ciao my friend!

I went for a hike with my husband and kids this weekend and I saw a hummingbird sitting on a branch. Guess what? I was not able to capture that moment! the birds are so beautiful but they don't stay still for too long, which makes it hard to take a good photo. I love your shots! Thanks for sharing them.

Thanks Alma - you were able to capture the moment, just not on film. What's captured in the eye of the beholder is more important than any photograph. Glad you enjoyed these photos, but I hope your hike with the hubby brought you a much deeper and meaningful picture in your mind and your memories! :-)

MAY

2007

Hey Brad, I do not know if you remember that Liddell was on the other association fighthing for pride figthing champsionship, around 3 or 4 years ago and he fought with Rampage and Rampage knocked him out in the same way, maybe a little bit better ( not a good knock out ), but this knoc out was very depriment, rampage got him and well, everything was over, don you think that is the age? he is old to fight, young boys from 22 to 26 are in the best shape to fight, I know that older guys can win, but it is just a few changes with they fight with a new human body, that's my way of think, am I right ? what do you think?

ooh BTW, as when Randy Couture fought with Siva or Silva, I tought that siva will win, and I wanted that randy win, but so big guy, remember when the poor randy fough with Chuck 3 times I believe, all of the fights he was knocked out by the Ice Man, so randy should be retired and not fight again, he gave the max what he could now it is time go just see the sport and make comments on it :) he is not a boy anymore to keep fighthing.

Brad - These pictures are amazing and what a great metaphor for life.

Ray - I think my pretty hummingbird post has turned into a UFC Blog!! LOL (Big Smile) I haven't had much chance to get out on the rain lately, been very busy. Our market here is experiencing some obstacles and challenges and has required quite a bit more of my attention lately. Like the post says above, gotta be in the right place at the right time, and that's all I'm trying to do right now. As far as TV, UFC, David Letterman and American Idol go, I just can't seem to find the time to keep up with it all.

I will say this, I don't think it is all about ones age, nor the "new" human body, I think it's all about the spirit from within. You can have anything in life you want if you put your heart, mind and soul into it. Even the UFC Championship if that's the Dream!! Keep the good blog as you always say, and be well my friend!

Maureen - nice to see your comment, I owe you tons of visits!! :-) Glad you enjoyed the post, Thanks!!

JUL

2007

Thank you very much for sharing, I have never seen any in Hawaii, so don't know if they exist here or not.

I don't think they do Shane, I was there over 7 years and never saw one. Ask Sally Cheeseman, she may know more about the hummingbirds in Hawaii!! Thanks for ALL your comments on my blog tonight. :-)

AUG

2007

That is truly amazing! I have never seen a hummingbird sit still long enough for anyone to get a photo! Truly amazing!

Bill and Barbara - I am glad you enjoyed the photos. It's true, hummingbirds rarely sit long enough or let you get close enough to take a photos like these. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity, at least for me. Thanks!

Brad, what a wonderful post. A ray of sunshine a fabulous message for all of us. I too have always wanted to take a picture of a hummingbird. Thanks for sharing these.

Kate - thank you! The message here is just as important as the photos in my opinion. :-) Glad you caught that! B-)

Absolutely FABULOUS!! I love humming birds and one keeps visiting my Mandevilla but won't eat out of my feeder. Go figure@!

LOL the graphic says NECTARINE.....

Fran - that's funny! You might need to change the feeder, hummingbirds are very picky you know. If there is anything at all that spooks them, well.....you can lead them to the feeder, but you can't make them drink! :-)

AUG

2007

It's a feeder that I got on a trip to Branson, it's like one of those old IV bottles they use to use in the hospitals before plastic bags..... hmmmm maybe they don't like it.

AUG

2007

Fran - do you like anything that looks like an IV bottle? LOL! I'd try a different one and see if our theory is correct. Please let me know what you find, now I am totally curious?!? Thx. :-)

AUG

2007

Brad, This is great. I loved the comparison to everyday life. So many times we are going so fast with everyday life and busy items, that we don't take the time to take care of the important things. We have to be prepared for action at all times. If we are caring for our thinking, and making sure it isn't "stinkin' thinkin', God will move things and open up opportunities for us. We have to be ready to take action. Thank you for the life lesson. Peace

Brad.......

Now that you mention it.... NO! Ok, I'll go to Lowe's and see if they have any left that are "becoming" looking. If you don't hear back from me, they were all gone and I'll have to wait till next year.

Earl - it's great to see you grab the real message of this post! We always need to be ready to take action! Thank you and peace to you also. :-)

Fran - you can always plant a bouganvillia, that's where these hummingbirds like to visit!! LOL! Keep us posted! :-)

AUG

2007

OK, here's an update. I hung the hummingbird feeder instead of having it sit on my deck rail.

And I waited.....

zzzzz He finally came and he drank!

SEP

2007

Fran - THAT IS AWESOME!!! And what a GREAT photo! This seems like a good enough cause to me for celebration. Did you get some champagne? LOL! Love it! Thanks for having faith and not giving up. This is one of the greatest success stories to come from this post!! I'm glad it worked out for you and the hummingbirds in your area! Looks like you're not going to "miss that moment" and let nothing ever get in your way or stop you.

B-)

Brad: Champagne? Uh, no...... if I'd of drank the picture would have been blurry. :)

This entire exercise made me realize this is the attitude that I take with every walk of life. Never say NEVER and NEVER give up!!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to realize that anything is possible.

SEP

2007

Fran - what a great deal. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help you realize this. Never say never and especially, NEVER GIVE UP....EVER! Wow, powerful and inspiring stuff all the way through! Thanks you sooooo much for sharing that here. Thanks for your time, your trust, your comments and your faith! Great Job!! :-)

Brad - Thanks so much for sharing these photos. I have always loved hummingbirds, and I still get excited when I see one.

Jason - thanks my friend! It was an awesome feeling after getting these photos, I felt a real sense of reward and accomplishment. I shoot hundreds of photos but these were one in a thousand, and I'm glad I can share them with folks who appreciate them like yourself. Thanks again!! :-)

MAR

2008

Great pics Brad. Sometimes we overlook the beauty around us in life. Thanks for sharing this

Amazing. I love to watch hummingbirds but rarely do they hold still. What luck

MAR

2008

Kristi - it's nice to be in the right place at the right place at the right time. Sometimes we're already there and just don't realize it. Having an awareness of what's always going on around us is crucial to our growth and maturity. (a bradism) for today! LOL! :-)

Carol - they sure are beautiful when suspended in the air, too fast to catch in flight, but to see them take a brake is a life lesson in itself. A lot to be learned from the life of a "simple" hummingbird! :-)

MAR

2008

Persistence pays off. Great shots. Thanks so much for shaing their beauty with all of us.

Trish - glad to be able to share these, thanks! Happy Easter! :-)

MAY

2008

hey man!

What's up Victor? Thanks for humming by... :-)

I love humingbirds, they hang around our bottlebrush bushes.

I loved this! You sure caught the moment ...a hard one to catch I might add....and shared with all of us! WooHoo!

Cindy - I saw one today in the backyard, he acted like I wasn't even there...they are very cool. I love watching them chase crows and cats. I like crows and cats too, but to see a little tiny bird run them off is hilarious. :-)

Thanks Sally - right place, right time, it was a lucky shot. Truly fascinating birds. Aloha, maybe I'll get to see ya over there this summer. Will probably be in the Aiea and Ewa Beach areas, also Kailua and Kaneohe while we're on Oahu. :-))

MAY

2008

Make sure and call me Brad! You'll be just minutes away from us!

I promise I will Sally, I have to get some FRESH Hot Malasadas from Leonards, and some fresh manapua when I'm there. :-) Probably July or August at the latest.

MAY

2008

Great pictures and thank you for the inspirational thought.

Julie - thanks, it was an inspirational moment I just had to share that day. Seems to still be generating some positive energy. :-)

Brad ~ Don't you mean a "Panasonic" moment? ;) Your photos turned out great. Job well done.

Ryan - nice to see you...another kodak moment!! lol~ Thanks bud for the compliment, seems like this was so long ago, the photos bring back the memory like it was yesterday. :-)

Brad

That is amazing to get a photo like that, My neighbor has the hummingbird feeders up and we always see them flying never at rest. Very cool Congrats!

Gary - if you can get a photo of them in flight, that's even more spectacular. Wish we had more of them in our area. I think the property taxes have run them out of town!! lol~ :-)

Great photo. Great message.

Brad, I like these pictures, Ialways liked humming birds, and that is the first time I believe Iv'e seen a

closeup like that one. Thanks for sharing...

Brad ~ That is too funny. I didn't even realize it was an old thread because it was 5/19. It didn't notice the 2007 LOL.

Thanks Pam - even a year later, and in 10 more years, I hope that message is still delivered. :-))

Bill - I have never been that close to a hummingbird, and feel lucky blessed to have gotten those shots! :-)

Ryan - lol~ :-) That is too funny. Just goes to show ya what happens when someone makes a comment on one of your old posts, it goes right back to the top of members bookmarked pages and groups. I've had a few members play tricks on me with some of my older, seasonal posts. As long as the content is good and the message is positive, I don't mind, this one can resurface all it wants! :-)))

MAY

2008

Brad - I agree with that. I was a bit curious how your "new" post had a PageRank of 2... now it all makes sense.

lol 2? WooHoo!! :-))

Brad: Great photos! You talk about what good things are waiting to happen to us? The question is: Are we paying attention to the opportunities and the good things that are waiting to happen? Many times, the hummingbirds(opportunities) are right there, we just don't see them. You make a great point about not missing our Kodak moment if we open our eyes and ears and watch for them. Thank you!

MAY

2008

Brad, Great photos. I love the analogy too. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Mary - it's true. Sometimes our minds and world are so cluttered and consumed with thoughts and circumstances, we miss those GRAND moments. They can literally "Fly By" in a matter of seconds. (no pun intended...ok, yes it was) The photos in this post remind me that we need to have an awareness around us, and pay attention to any and all opportunities that may present themselves. If we don't, life will just pass us by, and we'll have missed the greatest lessons that life has to offer.

Thanks Bob :-)

MAY

2008

Sorry I had to delete your comment, if you came back here to see it gone, it's because most of the members here don't like SPAM in our Blogs. We don't mind your comments, but please don't put links to non-relavent sites and address us by the wrong names. Thanks "Anonymous" for undertstanding. :-))

JUL

2008

Brad,

Someone gave me a link to this post of yours with the fantastic photos. I'm working on putting together an AR Group for Birders. Here's the link; please come comment if you're interested. Life Isn't All Business. Are You a Birder? I'm having some success working with Spheres of Interest, and this follows in that vein.

Mike in Tucson

Mike - I had forgotten about this post. As soon as I saw your comment hit my email, it took me right back to that moment in the yard. It was awesome. I can't honestly saw I'm a Birder, but I take interest in many things that life has to offer, I'll check out your group, sounds very interesting and fun. Spheres of Interest can be very fun and rewarding. Thanks for the invite and thanks to whoever sent you a link to this post, wish I could thank them personally. :-))

JUL

2008

Excellent post...and the pictures ain't half bad! I miss a lot of Kodak moments trying to find my camera. I can't believe this hummingbird stayed lit for that long...must have been into the fermented sugar water!

Nice shot Brad, Hey are you still coming to Maui would love to meet you.

Steve

JUL

2008

Vicki - funny, I used to miss a ton of Kodak moments in life, but now I keep my flip video and digital camera with me at all times. I just don't leave home without it. BTW - I tried that sugar water once myself and didn't care too much for it! lol~

Steven - my wife and I will be coming to Maui soon, no date set yet, I'm trying to arrange an AR Gathering and maybe a Bloggers Seminar, maybe you could help me set that up. I know James Pycha in Kauai wants me over there, and I know there's a couple opportunities on Oahu, I wouldn't dare come over without a stop to Maui too. Let me know if you think there's a need for a Bloggers convention there on Maui. :-)

HAHA...My NEW flip video just arrived yesterday..I haven't even tried it out yet. I'm excited!

Vicki

Vicki - can't wait to see some of your video posts! YEAH!! :-)

AUG

2008

You know Brad, i have had these very same moments. I used to own a pond with numerous koi fish, some fancy goldfish and 2 catfish with a little fountain. That little fountain is what attracted the hummingbirds (hint) and to get the pictures i wanted (on a throw-away camera, sigh) i literally would hide out waiting for that moment (usually at noon). finally i got it and for a throw away camera shot (i'll have to find that pic and show you) it came out quite nice but man did it ever take long to get it.

The lesson in your blog as is often told in life is, you truly have to work hard to get something and eventually, and "always" when you least expect it, even after you may have given up on waiting for it, that moment will present itself, and it's oh so bitter-sweet each time it happens.

You really tied your story well to the lesson. This was probably one of my favorite articles of yours (seriously). Thanks.

AUG

2008

Your favorite? Really? Thanks, maybe I should write more of these types of posts, I have ideas for this kind of stuff everyday. Hmmmm....thanks for commenting, I appreciate that, and now you got me thinking a bit.

I was watching about 100 hummingbirds at a friends the other night and plan to go back this next week to get some photos in the evening when they are feeding. It was amazing and I am planning to post some of them. Thanks

Carol - take lots of pictures, you never know which one could win you the Pulitzer!! :-))

AUG

2008

Carol, 100? wow. In utah i take it?

note to self: visit utah for hummingbird photography.

Brad-

Get yourself a hummingbird feeder and place it close to your back deck or just outside of a window. Set your camera up on a tripod and pointed towards the feeder and you should have no problem shooting hummingbirds in flight. Remember to use a fast shutter speed and happy shooting!

AUG

2008

Bryant - great idea, even thought of that, but we have a cat that's just like a tripod in that window. Not too many a living thing get near that window with her always sitting in it!! lol~

Here is the best I have been able to do. They sure are fun to try an dcatch though aren't they??

Some hummingbirds in our yard actually seem to be sitting for a picture. They are curious when I come out with the camera, and will change from branch to branch in the pine tree for quite a long time. Unfortunately, they only seem to want to do this at dusk, and my camera flash changes the lool of the hummers drastically! Great photos, Brad. We only have the ruby-throated variety.

AUG

2008

Earleene - great shot. Thanks for sharing that with us. :-)

Lynn - would love to see some shots if you ever get the chance. :-) The subliminal message here is to capture that Kodak moment by being in it, so many times the moment and opportunity is right there and we miss it because we are consumed by thinking we are always chasing something. It's good to stop and smell the roses once in a while, the hummingbird comes when we least expect it and we're least prepared.

Brad.

Thanks for the compliment. I have only owned a DSLR for less than 2 months so am learning. Haven't figured out yet how to set the camera to get the shot without blur and be able to see the wings!

Earleene - I know the DSLR has some great features but you have to know about shutter speed, f stop etc. My son is a photographer too and he's always trying to teach me all the technical stuff. Kids these days are just too darn smart. Here's a shot I did get of some wings, but they're dragonfly wings, another rare photo of mine I feel fortunate to have captured.

DEC

2008

I just had to comment on this post. I am brand new to ActiveRain and to real estate. My husband and I love it though! I just had my first person ask us to remove her from our mailing list. It completely deflated me. After reading your post, I'm inspired again! There's no telling what's out there for us!! Thank you so much!

Davey and Tammi Ellis

So cute. Congrats on the accomplishment!

Hi Brad! These are wonderful photos! I posted some that I took a while back. Sat outside on the deck for HOURS to get these shots! But it was certainly worth it. Some of these shots are of the not-so-common Rufus hummingbird.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/724867/The-Birds-and-the

What is it about these magnificent birds that so warm our hearts? I think it's the tiny-ness coupled with the stamina - against all the odds, so to speak!

Debi

Brad, PS I'm still waiting for that elusive lightning, too! ;)

Debi

DEC

2008

Davey and Tami - never let anything or anyone deflate your spirit! I am glad you were inspired by this post. Thank you for your comment and for making this post have more value than what meets the eye. :-))

Tony and Libby -thanks! Right Place, Right Time, for the Right Reasons... :-)

Debi - what an awesome shot, thanks for sharing that, I loved it and your Blog layout too. The water looks great, especially on Active"RAIN". LOL~ Your comment would make a great caption for the Wordless Wednesday group on this photo, maybe I'll use that. :-)

BTW - I did get lightning on a shot in Hawaii, but for the life of me, I can't find it right now on my external drive. I have over 10,000 photos on that thing, now to sort it so I can find photos when I need them. haha.

Brad, You are free to use the comment in any way you wish! (You could use it even if I DIDN'T owe you for all your help!) I hope you find the lightning shot, they are precious! Few and far between...I've never managed one, but hey! I'm not dead yet, there's still time LOL! I have managed spectacular fireworks shots, tho...Maybe that's my next WW photo!

Because of my DVD business, I have 20K+ photos on my drive. Have finally bought an external drive to back it all up- but can't imagine if I didn't have it sorted! You've got one very big job ahead of you! Consider hiring someone to do it for you. If you disappear for a couple months, we'll know what you're doing! ;)

If you know of a post re: using HTML to change font, color, etc. - Could you pass it on? I just got used to the <font> thing, and need to learn the RIGHT way now!

Debi

Debi - I'll be doing a post on the HTML font thing and widgets shortly. Let me wait and see how things go after the upgrade at midnight tonight. Thanks.

PS Brad, My blog background is a shot of the river in 11 Mile Canyon. I loved the contrast between the frozen sections and the running water. It was 16 degrees that day - even the ducks were shivering - but I got some nice photos...

Debi