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.

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!!

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!!

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.

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.

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.  :-)

Beautiful pictures, Thank you for sharing.

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

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!  ;-)

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 !

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!  :-)

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!!

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. :-)

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! :-)

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.

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. :-)

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.  :-)