Nesting Hummingbird

I went to a program at Sarett Nature Center this afternoon about the rediscovery of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker.  It was AWESOME.  I will devote a post to that program soon.  

As I was leaving the Nature Center I noticed a voice mail on my cell phone.  It was Craig telling me to make sure I stopped and picked up my camera before heading out to the cottage.  He said that he found a nesting hummingbird.  I couldn't believe it!  I've ALWAYS wanted to see/find a nesting hummingbird.  I stopped at the house and grabbed my camera.  As I was leaving the house I noticed this butterfly on a purple flower... a great photo opportunity.  But I almost didn't stop to photograph the butterfly because I was so anxious to get to the hummingbird.  I'm glad I took the few minutes to snap these photos.  They turned out great.  

Anyway... back to the hummingbird.  Sure enough!  There was a sweet little Momma Hummingbird nesting on a branch.  I was disappointed at the quality of my photos.  It was starting to get dusk and I'm hoping to get better photos in brighter sunlight tomorrow.  She was quite high up on the branch and I was standing on a ladder with my telephoto lens to get these shots.  

How did Craig find her?  He said he was standing under the tree and an Oriole landed a few inches from the nest (he didn't notice the hummingbird nest at this time).  Then he noticed a Hummingbird attacking the Oriole.  He said the Hummingbird was actually pecking the Oriole in the head.  After about 4 pokes the Oriole flew away.  That got Craig to thinking, there must be a reason why the Hummingbird did this so he took a closer look at the branches.  Soon the Hummingbird came back and that is when Craig noticed the nest.    

I can't wait to watch her progress.  I'm really hoping that I'm able to get some photos of her feeding the babies in the next few weeks.  How exciting this is for me!