"The Secret Life of Hummingbirds"

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This ''Youtube.com'' video shows behind the scenes filming of the "The Secret Life of Hummingbirds", a PBS NATURE program by the Wildlife cinematographer, Ann Prum. It's absolutely fascinating !

Ann Prum, assisted by wildlife scientists, studied the little creatures, and with the use of a hi speed computer controlled camera called the Phantom scope, and another method using a " boroscope " that put the camera's lens right into a flower, unlocked its " real life " while watching the birds feeding, fighting and flying.

She filmed them in 6 different countries including way high up in the Andes Mountains of Chile where it was freezing and hard to breath,

but using the high speed camera, she was able to catch many of these remarkable birds on the ground feeding on little ground flowers full of nectar.

When they slowed the camera playback down, they were actually able to discover many previously unknown facts of the hummingbird's life.

I haven't seen the PBS show but this video about making the show is remarkable. It is 9 minutes long but it is so engrossing the time passes quickly. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Edited May 8, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Nagishkaw 510]

That was awesome! Thanks for posting this.

[thongd4me 69]

I live just outside the limits of NYC, but it's still a very green area.

When I was young I used to remember seeing hummingbirds in the neighborhood.

I really miss them.

For many years I've not seen even one; they seem to be an environmentally

sensitive species, like frogs & salamanders that are often the first to disappear

in an ecosystem. Because of their rapid heart rates they may ingest toxins faster

than other species.

Hummingbirds forum

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We have several that visit us - they actually come right up to the back window and hover there for a while. I've taken photos of them, but of course they are moving so fast that the images are partially blurred. I've seen them drink from the rosemary flowers, the basil flowers and the eggplant flowers as well as from the butterfly bushes and the feeder I have out for them. I saw my first one of the season yesterday morning at around 7 am. I didn't know much about birds (other than being able to identify the basics - crows, bluejays, cardinals, etc.) until I moved here. We have several feeders and birdbaths set up as well as a lot of flowering plants in the backyard so it's been great to watch them. For several years I also participated in the February National Great Bird Count sponsored by Cornell University. I never saw any hummingbirds in the winter but others in Georgia reported them.

Edited May 8, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Nagishkaw 510]

I see them in my yard during the summer when my cannis are in bloom. They are attracted to the nectar from the flowers.