Gnats and other hazards of having fun

It's gnat season in 4-Hill Albuquerque New Mexico. This means that from the time it is desirable to be outside until it is undesirable to be outside, these little, almost invisible demons torment every orifice of your body (that is those that are exposed) and any moist area - eyes. They don't bite, but the way they swarm and annoy, one would almost wish they bit, at least then you could legitimately wish their existence to cease in the universe.

I want to photograph birds, all birds, but especially hummingbirds. Regardless, it requires that I be still; still enough for my subjects to understand that I present no threat, and they are willing to approach and use the feeders, that I religiously fill. The presence of the annoying little orifice seekers makes that task of being still difficult, especially when the fly into my ear. I find my hands flailing around trying to keep them out of my nose, my eyes, and my ears.

Interestingly, when I start shooting my quarry I can often ignore the little pests flying between the camera and my face into my eyes, or into my ears, their mosquito pitched whine filling my head. The minute the hummingbird flits off on some other tangent out of my field of view, I suddenly become aware of the monsters tormenting me, and I have to, reflexively start swatting them from my face and ears.

It would seem that there is no escaping these demonic pests. Even sitting in one of our numerous pieces of patio furniture is no escape. It is nearly impossible to sit and review photos. I am often driven inside, inside with the air condition and the relative safety from the monsters, though minuscule.

Despite repeated reminders to wipe myself in insect repellent I invariably forget, and thus suffer the fate of that forgetfulness.

Every morning between 0530 and 0600 I go out and take down the hummingbird feeder that is under the tree. I fill it, and by daylight, which comes later each morning, the feeder has a small swarm of bees clustered on it, in search of water and sugar.

It takes the bees, with a little help from the hummingbirds to drain this feeder down sufficiently far enough that the bees cannot obtain any further sugar water so they leave. The hummingbirds continue to use it until it is empty. It takes the bees about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to bring the level down sufficiently that the are no longer able to feed, so they leave.

Hummingbirds

The hummingbirds seemed to have arrived early this year. As soon as I was aware of their arrival (the distinctive sound of one of them flying by) I immediately dug out my feeder, made some Sugar water and hung it in the tree. Within a few hours the birds were feeding at the feeder. A couple of weeks later I bought a wrought iron double hook and hung up my other two feeders. Some mornings and evenings I can easily count as many as 15 or more of the little birds working the feeders. Sometimes, they spend more time fighting over the feeders, being territorial, than feeding. I have also planted several Penstemons, which are favorites of hummingbirds. On occasion I manage to capture a glimpse of one of the birds working one of the penstemons. I have yet to capture a photo. Below, are photos captured as the hummingbirds come to my feeders. 

Male black-chinned hummingbird hovering, showing off its iridescent chin feathers.

So far, the hummingbirds feeding at my feeders are Black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri). The males are notable for their black throats, and when they turn into the light their chin feathers are an iridescent purple. Their backs are iridescent green.

Male black-chinned hummingbird feeding.

 The females, as is typical of most birds are quite plain in their appearance. They do not have the black chin of the males, but they do have the iridescent green back.

Female black-chinned hummingbird soaring.

Here is a site for more information on the black-chinned hummingbird: Black-Chinned Hummingbirds.

A female (background) and a male at the feeder.

Male hovering, caught with eyes closed.

Every now and then they stop and rest.

A small male resting in the tree above me.