It's on a feeder now, but I know where he has been. His beak is loaded with pollen from my flowers!
Hummer double dipping!
He's SO gorgeous!
What a fabulous picture. What kind of hummingbird is that? It looks just like some I have, but I'm used to Colorado hummers, and I don't think they pass through Kansas, at least not the eastern half where I am now.
Willow
Ruby throat
so cute.. I bet he made some flowers for next year..
Here is another pic of what looks to be a juv. with a strange bump of red. Could that be the red throat feathers forming?
Yes. I think the "bump" is really just the irradescence (sp?) of those particular feathers. But, yes, that is a juvenile male ruby throat. Here is one I caught this morning.
Carla
Sweet one Carla. I love to watch them in the mornings. Unfortunately this morning was the first day dry enough to mow and edge. Since it is suppose to start raining again tomorrow we couldn't put it off.
The dew was too heavy this morning (sounds like a primo excuse, doesn't it!!) so I've put the mowing/edging off until the afternoon. Enjoy your hummers, Sheila.
Carla
you just have to love those little hummers; neat pictures...
We had a lot of traffic at our feeder yesterday too. Usually we just see one hummer at a time but these two spent a lot of time on the feeder and a third one flew up close while they were there but didn't land. I wondered if one of these was a juvenile because it was quite a bit smaller than the other. It seemed to be "with" the other one because they arrived together and left together.
Getting more used to the functions on my new camera and took this photo through window of our living room.
Great photo of 2 relaxed and feeding hummingbirds. It's not unusual for a female and juvenile to travel and feed together -- and you've captured it perfectly.
Carla
OK, now I'm going to show my ignorance. The pictures of male ruby throats show a much brighter gorget (I think that's right) which is why I thought mine must be something else. Do the colors dull out when it isn't mating season...kind of goldfinches?
Willow
The young males have just a little red on their throats. Not an expert here... I have to get out tomorrow evening and get some pictures. Mine are all over the salvias and cypress vine.
Elaine
Loonie 1,
Are you sure that is a Rubythroat?
I hope you are right and that they are migrating westward. The reason that I ask is because everything I read about Rubythroats is that you only find them east of the Mississippi River.
We had LOTS of hummers this summer but they have all left for the winter. For some reason we always seems to have two that stay the winter, so I have to bring in the bottle at night so it won't freeze.
I went through....two bags of 50pounds each of sugar, but I love those little guys, so much for my enjoyment.
Great pictures.
JoAnne
JoAnne, yes, that's a Ruby Throat. In this part of Texas (NE corner), RTs are the most common hummingbird. I'm attaching a range map:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/lifehistory
Carla
Loonie1, thank you for the interesting website. I too had always heard that Ruby Throats were only found east of the Mississippi, but that really looked like what I've had here, definitely west of the Mississipppi. The map does show that I'm probably right on the western edge of the breeding territory and definitely in the migration area. Mine have just left, really draining the feeders just before going. Feeders are still out for any stragglers and I'll be looking foreward to spring.
Willow
DH said he saw a little squirt being fed by it's parent from a hanging basket on the deck, but when the camera was raised they dissappeared of course.
Splendid photo of the hummer Sheila! Definitely a double dipper! LOL!
Sometimes the siblings hang out together too, but Mom is usually in the background. Sometimes you can see the juveniles coloring well, depends on the lighting.
I have some photos I just posted on the Bird Watching Forum,
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1035052/
A couple show the red freckles like yours, Sheila . Still think I'd be happier on this thread. Sigh!
Dogs_N_Petunias, nice photo! Well done through the window yet! : - )
Read the site map, so maybe I don't have Ruby throats. Nice link Loonie.
I'm confused. I think I have Ruby throats, know I have Anna's and Black Chinned Hummers. Got photos to prove it, but some of them aren't supposed to live where I do. I will defer to you all.
I've been documenting them since February of this year. See thread above.
Sending one of a baby that hatched out earlier this year, he has a red patch and freckles under his chin.
Photo taken from below on the 17th of Sept.
WIB,
SW
For at least a month, we had seen hummingbirds multiple times every day on our feeder but have not seen one for more than a week now. New to this, so wondering if they've left our area ??
My 3 Ruby's are flying around and feeding like crazy.. mostly on the plants, salvias, zinnias,
Elaine
If you have a lot of tubular bloom flowers like salvias they may be using them for nectar. We don't have as many, but there are still some here. I think that last rainy spell and the temps moved some of them further south.
Sheila, that's a beautiful picture of that little double dipper! I think you should enter that in the photo contest.
Thanks Stephanie!
Glenna, the bulk of the hummingbirds have been and gone. However, you can expect to see a straggler or two into mid-November. Leave a feeder up, just in case.
Carla
Singing Wolf, what you think are RubyThroats are probably Broad Tails?
http://www.hummingbirdfeeder.biz/hummingbird-species.htm
Carla
Sounds more likely from the description on the link you posted, as well as my observations of their behavior, Carla. Many times I have heard the cricket type sound. It doesn't sound like a door with a rusty hinge. More of a chittering. I have always liked hummers, but only really got into observing them this past year.
I do also have some BCH's they may have been visiting or migrating. I know that some of them overwinter and hope to be able to continue to chronicle their adventures here. I have planted my side of the front yard with h.bird foods, some are still maturing. There is native forage out there for them, and if it rains they'll be in good shape. Will make sure that they have access to the gh over the winter for shelter if they want it.
Saw some on the courtyard today visiting the geraniums and the water fountain. It was nice even through the window. They ignored me when I got home from vacation yesterday. Found out why today. The feeder I have for them inside the gh was empty. They don't drink out of the one by the door. That one is there to fake out the wasps! LOL!
Today they were very happy to visit. Didn't have my camera with me but there were visiting and chittering away.
It's hard for me to tell them apart, because we also have Anna's h.birds here too. Sometimes, I am just happy I can recognize an individual bird. I do pay attention to their markings and behavior. So I really do appreciate your sharing your knowledge.
Thank you very much!
WIB!
SingingWolf