Winged Wednesday 9.11.2025: Open Theme

[Eric Gofreed]

It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether they’re zipping, sunbathing, or striking a midair pose, we celebrate anything with wings—birds, bugs, bats, or butterflies.

This week, I’m sharing photos from the past few days. During migration, my yard hosts five hummingbird species: Calliope, Black-chinned, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, and Rufous. Each one paused just long enough to get caught in the act. I'll post 5 more hummingbird photos next week.

All five photos were captured using multi-flash, a technique that utilizes seven flashes firing simultaneously to freeze motion. Each burst lasts just 1/24,000 of a second—so fast it makes a blink feel slow. Like a lightning strike on demand, the flash reveals every frozen wingbeat, every shimmering feather, every airborne acrobat in stunning detail.

​

Special thanks to Trent and Alan for following along and always taking the time to comment on these Winged Wednesday blogs.

Rufous hummingbirds arguing over nectar

Male Anna's Hummingbird in all flash mode

Calliope Hummingbird (female), the smallest bird in North America

Female Black-chinned hummingbird

Female Broad-tailed Hummingbird

 

[Jeffrey]

That sure is some stop action equipment you got there Eric. Wonderful imaging. It's hard to tell if these are indoor or outdoor.

 

[Jeffrey]

A little bird action this past week in Goleta, CA. A Double-Crested Cormorant and a prancing Snowy Egret. This was a few days ago, and I am now in Cuiaba, Brazil heading to the Pantanal tomorrow. High hopes for some spectacular avian photo ops, as well as all sorts of animals.

 

[AlanLichty]

It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether they’re zipping, sunbathing, or striking a midair pose, we celebrate anything with wings—birds, bugs, bats, or butterflies.

This week, I’m sharing photos from the past few days. During migration, my yard hosts five hummingbird species: Calliope, Black-chinned, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, and Rufous. Each one paused just long enough to get caught in the act. I'll post 5 more hummingbird photos next week.

All five photos were captured using multi-flash, a technique that utilizes seven flashes firing simultaneously to freeze motion. Each burst lasts just 1/24,000 of a second—so fast it makes a blink feel slow. Like a lightning strike on demand, the flash reveals every frozen wingbeat, every shimmering feather, every airborne acrobat in stunning detail.

​

Special thanks to Trent and Alan for following along and always taking the time to comment on these Winged Wednesday blogs.

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Rufous hummingbirds arguing over nectar

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Male Anna's Hummingbird in all flash mode

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Calliope Hummingbird (female), the smallest bird in North America

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Female Black-chinned hummingbird

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Female Broad-tailed Hummingbird

You really have an amazing variety of hummers that cruise through your area. I am always happy just to see an occasional Rufous in the midst of our year round Annas residents. Great shots of all of these.

 

[AlanLichty]

A little bird action this past week in Goleta, CA. A Double-Crested Cormorant and a prancing Snowy Egret. This was a few days ago, and I am now in Cuiaba, Brazil heading to the Pantanal tomorrow. High hopes for some spectacular avian photo ops, as well as all sorts of animals.

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Cool shot of the cormorant but the egret striding across the water steals the show.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

A little bird action this past week in Goleta, CA. A Double-Crested Cormorant and a prancing Snowy Egret. This was a few days ago, and I am now in Cuiaba, Brazil heading to the Pantanal tomorrow. High hopes for some spectacular avian photo ops, as well as all sorts of animals.

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Two great shots, Jeffery. That snowy egret is awesome. Perfectly exposed and brilliantly composed. World-class photo!!!

 

[Trent Watts]

It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether they’re zipping, sunbathing, or striking a midair pose, we celebrate anything with wings—birds, bugs, bats, or butterflies.

This week, I’m sharing photos from the past few days. During migration, my yard hosts five hummingbird species: Calliope, Black-chinned, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, and Rufous. Each one paused just long enough to get caught in the act. I'll post 5 more hummingbird photos next week.

All five photos were captured using multi-flash, a technique that utilizes seven flashes firing simultaneously to freeze motion. Each burst lasts just 1/24,000 of a second—so fast it makes a blink feel slow. Like a lightning strike on demand, the flash reveals every frozen wingbeat, every shimmering feather, every airborne acrobat in stunning detail.

​

Special thanks to Trent and Alan for following along and always taking the time to comment on these Winged Wednesday blogs.

View attachment 83982
Rufous hummingbirds arguing over nectar

View attachment 83984
Male Anna's Hummingbird in all flash mode

View attachment 83986
Calliope Hummingbird (female), the smallest bird in North America

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Female Black-chinned hummingbird

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Female Broad-tailed Hummingbird

That technique really works. Your yard and your skill set work so well. Getting that many species of Humming birds is so special. Thanks Eric.

 

[Trent Watts]

A little bird action this past week in Goleta, CA. A Double-Crested Cormorant and a prancing Snowy Egret. This was a few days ago, and I am now in Cuiaba, Brazil heading to the Pantanal tomorrow. High hopes for some spectacular avian photo ops, as well as all sorts of animals.

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That Prancing Egret is so beautiful Jeffrey. Those yellow feet really anchor that shot.

 

[Trent Watts]

My selections for today's WW are from the last few days.

My local community garden is ripe with insects as fall approaches.
This is one of the Spur-throated Grasshoppers.

A Rough Stink Bug.

Black-billed Magpies are a common bird in the city. This young one had still not quite figured out that humans could be dangerous. I approached as it was sitting on a fence and it just looked at me. I was only about 8 ft. from it when I took this image,

I had never seen a Magnolia Warbler before so had to check with a friend who confirmed this was that bird.

 

[AlanLichty]

I am going with Big and Small for today's wings.

The Big - a Great Blue Heron at Salmon Creek in Vancouver:

And the Small - a bee checking out the goods on a Zinnia in the neighborhood:

 

[Trent Watts]

Nice shots Alan.. That bee and flower are so clear.

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice shots Alan.. That bee and flower are so clear.

Thanks Trent - I had nearly perfect light shooting this in someone's flower bed with a telephoto lens from the sidewalk.

 

[Jeffrey]

My selections for today's WW are from the last few days.

My local community garden is ripe with insects as fall approaches.

Wonderful imaging Trent. I don't know how you get so close and sharp. Great work![/QUOTE]