Backyard Hummingbirds
Photos, videos, and tips about our favorite backyard birds
Welcome to Backyard Hummingbirds. I'm Stephen Sherrard, a wildlife photographer based in the Pacific Northwest. I've been photographing Anna's and Rufous hummingbirds in my own backyard for years, and more recently chasing species across Central and South America.
This site is about attracting, caring for, and photographing these incredible birds — whether you're setting up your first feeder or trying to freeze wingbeats with flash photography.
Featured Articles
The Best Hummingbird Feeders
After trying multiple hummingbird feeders, I've landed on one clear favorite. Here's what I use and why.
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Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard
How to get hummingbirds to find your yard and keep coming back — feeders, placement, plants, and patience.
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How to Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar
The recipe is simple — 1 part white sugar, 4 parts water. Here's exactly how I make it, and what to avoid.
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Getting Hummingbirds to Feed from Your Hand
How to get hummingbirds comfortable enough to feed from your hand — and what's possible when birds have truly lost their fear of people.
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How to Take Great Hummingbird Photos
Tips and techniques for capturing sharp, detailed hummingbird photos — from focus settings and shutter speed to depth of field and just being patient.
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Freeze the Action with Flash Photography
How to use photo strobes and multi-flash techniques to freeze hummingbird wings completely — and why I still prefer natural light most of the time.
Read MoreSupport Our Work
You can help keep this site going in a few ways:
- Donate directly — support the feeders and a long-term dream of high-speed hummingbird footage
- Shop our recommended feeders and gear — affiliate links at no extra cost to you
- Purchase prints or digital downloads — direct from the photographer
- Subscribe on YouTube — hummingbird videos and photography tips
- Follow on Instagram — daily photos from the field