Laurie pointed out that there was a bluebird in the bamboo being attacked by a hummingbird — by the time I got outside with my camera, the bluebird was standing its ground atop the pear tree next to the bamboo. I did get one shot of the hummingbird confronting the bluebird.
So much for 105 @ 5:00. Our weather station reported a wind chill of 111º F (43.9º C) at 3:47 pm yesterday afternoon, about the time the birds were battling (see the last photo).
Off Center & Not Even 
WOW!
Thanks!
I love the pic. Those hummers are tough little birds and they will stand their ground ! The post processing is great!
Thanks, Susan! The birds were backlit because the sun was behind a cloud, the processing gave the white sky some texture.
Love the bluebirds but really loved the WW2 pics with their modern day counterparts – fascinating.
Thanks, Julia. I thought you would find the WWII then and now interesting.
And you were right! We were in France this time last year and visited some of the places featured.
A friend who lives up on a mountain a few towns over wrote one evening that he saw a Monach butterfly drive off a hummingbird from a planter of flowers on his deck. Never has a camera on him when needed for moments like that, but did manage to get night time suveillance footage of a cougar.
That would have been a good photo. Getting a cougar at night is impressive.
Very interesting photos of the bluebird and hummer, Tim. Hummers are so territorial. The photos look almost surreal.
Thanks, Juanita! Did you see our new kitten?
Yes, he’s so darling and cute. I’m sure he’s going to fit in just fine.
Thanks!
A little hummingbird body-slammed me a few years ago, because I was blocking his favorite flowers for a wee bit too long (I was trimming bushes in my yard). After yelling right in my face, he dropped down and hit me in the chest 3 times–it actually felt like I was being attacked by puffs of air. Very cute. I am glad the hummingbird is not a large bird like an eagle or hawk, because I would be afraid to go outside. They like a good fight and do not back down from anyone or anything. I need to write a story about that day…the courage of that little hummer is something I will always remember.
It’s a good thing they are small.