Companion...or competition?

Some of you have probably seen photos I've posted of the male Costas that's been hanging around my feeder all summer. Until two days ago, he's been chasing away all comers until this juvenile male appeared. They have become what appears to be constant companions and to be honest, I'm not sure if that's the case or not but I have a suspicion that they are seen together all the time now just because the older male hasn't been able to intimidate this juvenile and now has to accept this new intruder as his equal.

Regardless of the reason, it's been a pleasure to watch the two of them flying around, perching and eating from the feeder together.

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Very nice shot

Thanks very much.

A couple more images from the same set.

I think he's sticking his tongue out at me!

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Very nice. The first shot is my favorite.

They are just too sweet Gene!

SJC from VT wrote in post #16289643
Very nice. The first shot is my favorite.

Flo wrote in post #16290625
They are just too sweet Gene!

Thanks very much. I think the last couple of days has been a matter of these two males sizing each other up and why they've tolerated being at the feeder together at the same time or even perched on the same brace above the feeder. Yesterday afternoon, things seem to have heated up between them and they've become much more aggresive towards each other. Now when one of them is at the feeder, the other will buzz by trying to scare him away. Sometimes they buzz each other so often I wonder if either of them has the time to take a sip from the feeder.

To give you an idea how close these hummers allow me to get, these were both shot using my Sigma 35mm lens. Mostly this is because they are more concerned about each other than they are of me.

The resident male:

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Really nice images Gene. Really love the colors and I think your right he's definitely giving you the raspberry!

Grizz wrote in post #16291030
Really nice images Gene. Really love the colors and I think your right he's definitely giving you the raspberry!

Thanks...and I thought it was a duck call at first.

Here's one more shot at 35mm.

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Here's one from today using my Canon 85 f1.8 lens.

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Competition......no companions with hummers. Nice captures.

TedEllis wrote in post #16294551
Competition......no companions with hummers. Nice captures.

Thanks. They are apparently evenly matched so it's a standoff for now. I have a feeling that the juvenille will prevail in the end.

One more at 85mm. f2 is a bit too shallow.

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Great shots Gene.