BACKYARD MIRACLES
Discover the secret lives of hummingbirds. Peer inside the worlds largest film archive of hummingbird nests. Join the hummingbirds-up-close community.
ACCESS THE ARCHIVE
130 Nests. 250 Neighbors. One Lens.
Hi, I'm Eric Pittman. What started as a backyard hobby became a world-class archive of hummingbird footage.
As a naturalist and cinematographer, I’ve documented generations of hummingbird families to show you how they build, survive, and thrive.
Sign up for the Hummingbird Heartbeat to get exclusive footage and behind-the-scenes stories delivered to your inbox.
Click play to see a short clip of Feather feeding her two chicks.
Witnessing a hummingbird feed her nestlings never gets old. Somehow along the way, I have amassed the world’s largest archive of nest footage—work that has led BBC Natural History, PBS Nature, Netflix, and CBC to request my participation for their productions.
CREATE YOUR SANCTUARY
Hummingbirds bring a unique peace to a garden. Learn simple, practical steps to upgrade your yard into a preferred destination for your hummingbird neighbors and enjoy a front-row seat to their magic.
STEP BEHIND THE LENS
Discover hidden nests with FLIR technology
After spending 17 years documenting hummingbirds through keen observation with my bare eyes, I discovered thermal cameras! Now I see things what used to be invisible. It's a naturist's dream come true.
If you find yourself in Victoria, British Columbia, join me on this 3-hour walk through the trails of Hummingbird Hills, where I will put a thermal camera in your hands so you can see the invisible too!
When you look through an infrared lens, hummingbirds look like glowing Christmas lights hidden in the canopy. It is a rare chance to track their heat signatures and witness the secret life of the nest without disturbing their habitat.
Join the wait list below to be the first to know when the next journey begins. To tread lightly, spaces are limited.
TEDx VICTORIA, RIPPLES
The Bird Who Fixed the Filmmaker
I had the best gear and 16 years of experience, but I was powerless to help a tiny bird with a broken wing. My TEDx talk is the story of Bailey—the hummingbird who forced me to put down my camera, open my heart, and discover that the most important thing we can ever 'capture' is a moment of resilience.
Eric Pittman's TEDx Victoria Talk: Chosen as editor's pick!
UPLIFT YOUR AUDIENCE
Keynotes, judging, and guest appearances
My video archive is filled with vibrant, high-speed color, but some of my best moments are the stories I get to share from the stage. Whether I’m judging a photography contest or delivering a keynote, I bring 16 years of technical skill—and a few unexpected stories (like the time I built a helicopter from three wrecked chassis)—to every event. Let’s talk about how we can uplift your audience together.
AS SEEN ON
Eric Pittman's hummingbird footage has been seen on BBC, PBS nature, national geographic, the nature of things, Netflix and more.
WATCH THE AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY THE BIRD IN MY BACKYARD
The award-winning CBC documentary featuring Eric Pittman
How a retired pilot created a viral, hummingbird paradise in his backyard. B.C. backyard.
Producer, Director, DoP, Editor | Ryan Wilkes
Featuring | Eric Pittman
Story Editor | Geordie Trifa
Story Editor | Niobe Thompson
Cinematographer | Jillian Wilkes
Original Score Composed by Jonathan Kawchuk
Sound Mix & Sound Effects Editing by David Parfit
Colourist | So Young Park
Produced in Association with CBC
Executive Producer for CBC | Lesley Birchard
Production Company | Trochilus Films
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
The bird in my backyard has received global recognition for scientific contribution and wildlife cinematography
Nominated for Best Short Documentary | 2025 Canadian Screen Awards
Winner of Best Short Film, Wildlife & Environment | 2024 Jackson Wild Media Awards
Winner of Panda Award for Emerging Talent | 2025 WildScreen Panda Awards
Winner of Best Short Film | 2024 Banff Mountain Film Festival
Nominated for Best Documentary Short | 2025 Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) Awards
Winner of Best New Director | 2024 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
Winner of Gabriel Figueroa Special Award | 2024 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
Winner of Best Short Film | 2024 Festival International Nature Namur
Winner of Best Short Stories of Nature Film | 2025 Santiago Wild Film Festival
Nominated for Best Factual Short Format | World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, The Buzzies Awards
Nominated for Best Short Documentary Program | 2025 LEO Awards
Nominated for Best Short Documentary Direction | 2025 LEO Awards
Nominated for Best Short Documentary Cinematography | 2025 LEO Awards
Nominated for Best Short Documentary Sound | 2025 LEO Awards
Nominated for Best Short Documentary Music | 2025 LEO Awards
Winner of CortoNatura Award for Best Short Film | 2025 Gran Paradiso Film Festival
Winner of Premio Orestiadi di Gibellina Award | 2025 Gran Paradiso Film Festival
Winner of Best Music | 2025 Vancouver Island Short Film Festival
Winner of Icare Jury Award | 43rd Icare du Cinéma Awards
Nominated for Best BC Film | 2025 Vancouver Island Short Film Festival
Nominated for Best Cinematography | 2025 Vancouver Island Short Film Festival
Official Selection | 2024/25 Banff World Tour
GET THE HEARTBEAT
Ever wondered what it’s actually like inside a nest? I’ve spent 16 years bringing you up close to 130 nests and 250+ birds I’ve come to know by name. Subscribe to the Hummingbird Heartbeat for an intimate look at the nests and the stories you won't see anywhere else.
Documenting 16 years of backyard miracles to protect the forest we share.
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