It took less than a second to capture this tiny hummingbird last summer sipping a delightful taste of nector from that flower. However, what you don’t see, are the several shots over and over again for well over thirty minutes that have lots of flowers and not a single bit of hummingbird feather anywhere to be seen. Before I could move my finger on the button, the little fellow had flittered away, again and again, out of my range, teasing my camera and my patience.
It would have been VERY easy to quit. In fact, I was SO close to walking away. I knew I was keeping John waiting, there was so much more to be seen at the gardens where we were, celebrating our anniversary. He was being so kind and patient, and I shouldn’t have been taking advantage of that. I kept saying, “Just ONE more try…just ONE more time…If I don’t get it THIS time I’ll QUIT…” But then I would try again. I couldn’t seem to help myself.
Over and over.
And then there he was. Captured on film.
I won’t pretend it’s a great shot. It’s just a lesson on persistence. I keep finding myself looking at it over and over again when I get discouraged. When I feel like giving up. It’s a reminder.
Sometimes you CAN catch a hummingbird.
Janice Cartier says
Sometimes you can. Cartier-Bresson would set up and wait, and wait, and wait…. He said photography was about catching that brief moment in time. Sometimes more about patience and showing up.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post..Jason Wu and The Spotlight
Darren Daz Cox says
awww so wonderful! congrats Wendi that is a treasure indeed!
Darren Daz Cox’s last blog post..Frolic – the most positive word in the dictionary!
Kelly says
Wendi,
Oh, that’s beautiful. The photo, the story, and the go-get-’em (again and again) lesson.
Thanks. You deliver such simple beauty here.
I’ve got a tear in my eye.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Tip of the Week: Pump Down the Volume…
Karen Swim says
Wendi, what a perfect thought to start this new month. I am going to remember this too as I keep trying to catch my own hummingbird. 🙂
Karen Swim’s last blog post..And the Theme is Love
Lance says
Hi Wendi,
That IS a lesson in persistence!! I think I would have given up long before you did!!
It’s a good lesson, though – that if we want something bad enough, if we keep trying, we’re much more likely to get it. And that’s a great reminder – when it seems easiest just to give up on our dreams, or our desires – that if we keep trying – if we persist – there is much that awaits us. Maybe it won’t be exactly as planned, yet – maybe it will be even greater!
Thanks for the lesson today Wendi – I love it – all captured in your “capture” of the hummingbird!
Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Friar says
I think another hidden lesson here is to just grab the opportunity, because you never know when you’ll find it again.
Mabye if you gave up, the hummingbird wouldn’t have come back. Or mabye if he did, the light would have been off, and the photo wouldnt’ have been as good. You never know.
But you stuck with it, and now you got a great photo and a memory that will stay with you forever.
That happened to me a few days ago. Driving back from the airport, my Mom and I saw some kids playing hockey on a frozen lake.
We could have driven by, and just ignored it. But the lake was so beautiful, you never see clear ice like this.
Long story short, we parked the car, walked on the ice, and spent over an hour talking to people and snapping photos. It turned an otherwise boring drive home into a great afternoon.
And now, there’s been a dump of snow, the clear ice is gone. I’m so glad we grabbed the opportunity when we did.
Wendi says
Friar,
You are right. Do you know I was in my mid forties before I ever saw a hummingbird in person before? Now…here is the question. Were they never there? Or had I never slowed down enough to notice them until then? It’s all about paying attention.
I saw your post. Beautiful pictures. Can’t remember if I got through all of the commenters to tell you that. But I loved seeing the back of you in that jacket out there on the ice. 🙂
Lance,
what is they say? 10% desire, 90% persistance….Desire is only a seed.
Karen,
Yes…hummingbirds for February,,,:) feels closer to spring…
Kelly,
Sometimes there isn’t muxh that needs to be said…That little guy said most of it for himself. 🙂 Thanks…..
Thanks Daz, its good to see you here! I am loving visiting you on facebook too,.
Janice, so true in photography, in art and in life. I think being aware and ready and paying attention to the moments around us and not just going through the motions are a huge part of living life inspired.
Stacey Shipman says
I can imagine exactly what you were feeling. I have been there – one more try, I know I can, and the excitement when I reach success.
I was talking to a friend last week about someone she knows who is trying to make it in Hollywood. Now, 20 years since he started he is making headway. We talked about how when he finally gets that big break (which apparently is just around the corner) it will feel like an overnight success, or sudden. But it’s not. Every persistent step takes us closer. Sometimes we forget to share the journey, we’re so focused on the final outcome! Great analogy.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome says
I tend to be one of those people who captures something in the moment, savours it then lets it go. I’ve never been a bit one for pictures. If I forget the moment, that’s okay, there’ll be others.
Fortunately Raul is a big photo-taker, so we do get our memories preserved.
As for the rest of life, my attitude is good and bad. When offered a new opportunity, I move forward not worrying about holding onto the past, but I’ve also never been that persistent with things.
Fortunately that’s all changing with age and I’m learning to persevere until I reach what I was looking for.
Cheers,
Alex
PS. Your commentluv is a few weeks out of date – it’s not letting me choose any post more recent than 2 (or even 3) weeks ago. I wonder if that’s you or me…
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Girls Aloud give us all a kick in the pants
John says
Ok, lets be honest here… I was taking a nap in the shade while she pursued that picture. 🙂
I guess there’s a lesson there in patience too. Be in the moment rather wanting to be somewhere else. Pleasant day, soft grass, shady tree… why would I want to be anywere else?
Love,
John
Wendi says
Stacey,
You hear about those Hollywood stories…I think they are more the norm than the exception. There are very few overnight successes…in anything I think.
Alex,
Digital pictures are winning me over. I used to be a huge procrastinator about taking film pictures and then never going to get them developed. I once got a roll of film of my oldest daughter developed when she was around ten and they were pictures from when she was a baby! She was pink!
Now with digital pictures I can see them right away and it apeals to my quick nature. It works for me.
John,
Come to think of it, I do now recall you finally falling asleep under a tree. 🙂 I had forgotten that part….You are so patient….
It was a great day. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.
Or with anyone else.
Love,
Wendi
Jenny says
Awwwww you two are too sweet! No wonder I like you both so much!!
Anyway, I have come to realize in the last year that I go through things too quickly. Like on vacation last year in Colorado, yeah I tool 600 pictures but I never once was there a picture like the humming bird. I never once slowed down to just enjoy what I was taking pictures of. I feel like I missed out on a lot of things by rushing. The vacation was fun but could have been more fulfilling if I had just slowed down. Thanks for the reminder!
Jenny’s last blog post..Something To Believe In
missy says
there so cute