Hummingbird Nectaring Close-up

[Donkees]

TGPhotography

[Duncanpup]

1. I love hummingbirds.

[nuxvomica]

2. Looks like a drawing with crosshatching

Very nice.

[EarnestPutz]

3. A truly wonderful photo. It reveals the wonder of both the bird and the flower.

Hummingbirds appear to have eyelids. Why wouldn't they have eyelids, you ask. It's noticing them that's hard.

[Donkees]

5. Also have: ''Nature's Goggles - Nictitating Membranes''

Anna's Hummingbird

Thinner and more transparent than the fleshier upper and lower eyelids we’re all familiar with, the nictitating membrane allows some degree of visibility while simultaneously protecting the eye. The bills (and therefore the heads) of birds are vulnerable during foraging, flight, excavating, and diving, while feeding young, and gathering material for nests, etc., so extra eye protection is quite valuable.

The nictitating membrane is widespread in nearly all the vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles (which include birds), and mammals. In humans and other primates, they exist only as a vestigial structure.

https://www.birdnote.org/explore/field-notes/2020/03/natures-goggles-nictitating-membranes

Eyelash Photo: Bill Hilton Jr.

[EarnestPutz]

10. Eyelashes too! Thanks for the nice reply and new information.

[2naSalit]

4. A picture...

I would love to take!

Spectacular! That's quite the lens.

[lonely bird]

6. I love hummingbirds too

I didn’t know until a couple of years ago that hummingbirds eat insects. I saw a video of one flying and catching an insect.

[Donkees]

7. Having a composting area with fruit peelings in the gardens helps provide them with lots of gnats :)

They have been extra busy this week feeding newly hatched chicks

[Conjuay]

11. Unfortunately it works the other way as well. I've seen pictures where praying mantis caught hummers. N/T

[lonely bird]

12. Now that is terrible

I get circle of life but still…

[surfered]

8. Wow! Great photo!

We really only get them in fall and spring during their migration. We always put up our feeder and enjoy them .

[niyad]

9. A truly lovely image! Thank you for sharing.