Hooked on Hummingbirds

Rating:
Summary: Written by a man who truly is "Hooked on Hummingbirds"!
Review: Thomas Kaminski is a fastidious, precise, nit-picking perfectionist, who also happens to be an artist. That should give you a tip-off as to what to expect from this new DVD.

Kaminski clearly has been deeply moved by hummingbirds. Close-up footage in slow motion, stop motion, and real time is used to show how hummers fly, feed, fight, and nest. Seeing normally imperceptable flight acrobatics, for example, is more than just amazing: it lets you understand what books can only talk about. Watching a mother hummer weave spider's silk to attach her nest to the tree branch, too, is a sight most people will never see--but here they can, up close and personal.

Not just a technician, Kaminski is also an artist, composing much of the music for the DVD and either synchronizing it to the motions or creating a mood in harmony with the scene.

Then there is the sheer mass of facts, all carefully researched, and fed to the viewer at a rapid clip--but no so fast that you can't take them in.

I think everyone will enjoy this video--beginners, experienced hummer-watchers, and even those that don't know yet that they, too, can be "hooked on hummingbirds".

Here at the office of the Hummingbird Society we've amassed quite a collection of videos about hummingbirds. This DVD now proudly occupies a position in the top tier.

H. Ross Hawkins
President, The Hummingbird Society

Rating:
Summary: Amazing footage of some fascinating birds!
Review: Hooked on Hummingbirds is a 53-minute documentary about these little jewels of the avian world. Filmmaker Tom Kaminski combines breathtaking footage in real-time and slow motion with an educational narrative, reminiscent of a PBS production. He employs unique footage, such as an EKG of a human heart sped up to hummer speed, to provide excellent comparisons that make this DVD great viewing material for a school classroom or bird club. (Always check with the filmmakers of any film about public-performance licensing.) I learned a lot from this DVD! For instance, my body temperature would be 750 degrees if I had the metabolism of a hummingbird! Mostly California species are shown in the first half, while in the second, eastern species like the Ruby-throated (including one being banded and one that is leucistic), Rufous and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are covered. Another great feature of this DVD is to see some rare species such as the White-eared Hummingbird and Plain-capped Starthroat, as well as footage of a few Costa Rican hummers. The DVD includes a menu with scene selections allowing the viewer to jump to desired segments.

Rating:
Summary: Hummingbird lovers take note!
Review: I've been watching and reviewing editions of this video since before it went public, and I must say that Tom Kaminski has produced one of the more enjoyable hummingbird videos I've ever seen. And as a hummingbird aficionado myself, I've seen several!

I've showed this video to several bird clubs in Idaho and folks give it rave reviews! It is packed with fascinating material that is not only entertaining, it is also well researched. The information here has passed the review of many hummingbird experts, and is something that hummingbird lovers of all ages will really enjoy.

I highly recommend this video to anyone -- from those who study these creatures profesionally to those who just enjoy watching them outside the kitchen window. You'll learn so much, and will find yourself watching this video over and over!

Rating:
Summary: Hooked on Hummingbirds is incredible
Review: In my opinion, Hooked on Hummingbirds is one of the best hummingbird DVD's available. Not only does it show almost all North American hummingbird species, it has incredible footage of hummingbird behavior and ecology. I have never seen better footage of a female feeding two nestlings or of hummingbirds hawking insects. It's this emphasis on hummingbird ecology that sets this DVD apart.
Mr. Kaminski dedicated two years of his life for making this video. And it shows. The quality of the film and organization of the DVD is excellent. Mr. Kaminski researched and consulted experts on hummingbirds to create a well-balanced and accurate understanding of what we know about hummingbirds today.
Viewers are thoroughly entertained while they learn about hummingbirds. I highly recommend this DVD and give it 5 stars.


Rating:
Summary: good dvd
Review: This is some good footage folks.We see hummingbirds feeding(themselves and their babies) flying (sometimes upside down), fighting (we see alot of that) and nest building, in this dvd. It is very educational and entertaining . It shows about 20 different varieties. Keep in mind that this is the only dvd available about hummers. If you love hummers get this.