One of our best off-season adventures was many years ago when our girls were young. Since we home schooled them, we could go on vacation when others were in school and that’s just what we did when we met my parents at Busch Gardens, Florida. There were hardly any people there, so we we went from ride to ride with nary a wait in line, except a small one at the water ride. The best story, though, was when our older daughter wanted to go on a ride that she was technically to small to board. The attendant let us on and said, “If you need me to stop it, just put up your hand.” When her eyes started looking like those of a cartoon character, almost rolling around, I asked the woman in the next car to put up her hand (as I was holding our daughter), and the ride was stopped.
Not long ago, our younger daughter and I went to Arizona, not the thing usually done in summer. Many people, at least retirees, were gone for the summer–snowbirds, as they’re often called. The weather started at a “mild” 90 or so, but each day got hotter and hotter. Yes, the dry heat is easier to endure, but, yes, it’s still hot. On a day when the mercury climbed over 100, we visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix where I came across someone indulging in sweets. No snowbird this and obviously not bothered by the heat!
Great capture and delicious colour combination!
Thanks very much! I’m glad I had my telephoto. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to get close enough. But what a beauty! I love hummingbirds.
janet
Amazing picture!!!
Very glad you like it.
janet
What a stunning shot. Thanks for sharing 🙂
My pleasure. Thanks for taking the time to stop in and comment. I’m thrilled you love the photo.
janet
You’ve captured the movement in his wings beautifully!
Thanks, Laura. These guys are little gems, aren’t they?
janet
That is a fantastic photo Janet. Absolute terrific! Well done.
Merci beaucoup, Sandra! I’m chuffed you like it so much. Hope you’re having a great weekend (or start to it.)
janet
Fantastic capture…. those little guys are not easy to photograph 🙂
I felt very thankful to have gotten the shot, Ingrid. Thanks.
janet
that’s a really lovely image janet! just wonderful. ❤
Many thanks, K.Z.
janet
Gorgeous shot – like the blur of the wings, so many beats per second!
I’m always amazed at how fast their wings go. You can’t really see them properly and they sound like mini-jets when they fly.
janet
🙂
wow!
🙂
A lot of work has gone into the Desert Botanical Garden over the years and they have created something really special; it was always a personal joy to visit…One of my fond memories of Phoenix where the hummingbirds so I really enjoyed your photo.
Charlie, it’s a marvelous place and never more so then when the Chihuly exhibit was there. I really enjoyed going back and focusing on the plants, animals, and birds, even though it was hot. Glad the photo brought back good memories!
janet
Am jealous of that one!
What a lovely compliment, Michael. Thanks. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
janet
Cheers Janet. Preparing for my trip home next week & just posted on that particular topic as it happens. Regards. MB
“Someone indulging in sweets” is amazing. We have a couple in my neighbourhood, but they don’t stay long to visit. Just a lovely blur!
Olga, I was thrilled to see that some of my photos turned out so well! I have many more that are blurred or focused on a plant, rather than on the bird. 🙂
janet
I’m the same and take multiple shots hoping that one will impress me.
You never know until afterwards. Sometimes a shot I think will be outstanding doesn’t look that great and sometimes I get some wonderful that I didn’t expect.
Brilliant photo!!
Thanks so much. 🙂
janet
Very beautiful. So colorful.
Thanks, Indira, and thanks for visiting.
janet
This is such a gorgeous photo! Vibrant colors and a very active little bird.
Their colors are jewel-like, that’s for sure, and how their wings can go so fast is a mystery to me. 🙂 You have a great weekend, too, Marion.
janet
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What a beautiful well made shot Janet!
This is an incredible photo. Great stories too.
That trip to Busch Gardens was so much fun, Raewyn, so I enjoyed telling just a bit of it. We also got to see some of the Budweiser Clydesdales, which was lovely as well.
janet
Perfect – congratulations! And to us viewers too!
Brilliant capture, Janet! Congratulations 🙂
Thanks so much, Paula. I was excited when I saw how the photo came out, as my prior hummingbird shots have been abysmal failures. To be fair to myself, I usually have my phone, so despite the wonderful camera on it, I’m unlikely to get a great hummingbird shot with it.
janet
A perfect shot! My hummingbird photos are blurry messes… I’ll just look at yours from now on. 🙂
I’m honored, Lisa. 🙂
janet
Beautiful photo, Being able to travel on the off season is a a blessing! I timed my world trip to just be on the cusp of the season around Europe. It was great, lovely spring weather but none of the summer crowds.
There’s always the chance of bad weather in the off-season, one reason why it IS the off season, but often it works to advantage and when it does, it’s wonderful!
janet
This shot is so lovely. 🙂
Nice to see you, Imelda. I’m pleased you like the photo. I think it’s one of my favorites. Thanks for taking the time to comment as well as visit and enjoy your week.
janet
Sweet!
Pretty sure that was the hummingbird’s thought, too. 🙂
janet
Penstemons willcertainly attract hummingbirds.
And anything red, at least for a moment or two. 🙂
janet
Beautiful photo, Janet. Such a thrill to see hummingbirds and get shots like this one. ❤ I suspect all living things will seek cover the next few days with temps expected 111-116 degree range. That's brutal.
That’s hot weather it’s dry heat or not!
janet
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Obviously a wonderful shot.
This wasn’t taken with your phone, was it?
And how long did you have to wait to get the focus right and hold your breath that the bird would stay put.
Has the Nature Conservancy or some other conservation group contacted you yet to take pictures for them?
Randy
I took this photo with my Nikon and a telephoto lens, Randy. Once I spotted the bird, I kept trying to follow it with my lens and take shots quickly. One nice thing about digital is being able to get rid of photos that didn’t turn out without having to pay to have them developed first. I managed to get a few other good shots as well, so it was a good day.
Sadly, no contract for photos yet. I’ll let you know when I hear from them. 🙂
Have a great day, my friend.
janet
Wow that is s fantastic photo
Thanks, Amanda! I feel very fortunate to have gotten it.
janet