He was a baby male. I was out on the balcony and heard that distinct metallic whirring noise they make--totally different from other hummer sounds. I actually got some images of him, but he's too far away. Anyway, there are all sorts of baby hummers around. After I gave up on Rufe, there was a baby male Anna's that decided to perch on the aloe near me and check me out. He didn't seem afraid at all--just sat there and chirped at me.
-Ron-
How cute.
We have till about the first week of May before we get or Rubies back. What a long winter this has been.
Ahhhhhh how fun! Spring is definitely in the air....all the birds in my garden definitely had the "birds and the bees" in mind today at least.....WOW what a racket of boys fighting over girls......or perhaps it was girls fighting over nesting spots? In any case, lots of angry twittering and chirping going on LOL
-Julie
It'll be the end of March before I see my first hummer. Congrats, Ron!
Well, imway, we have hummers here all season long. The Anna's are always here. I don't usually see the Rufous/Allen's until early summer, although I had read somewhere that some were full-time residents of San Diego. I think the Black-chinned and the Costa's are migrants too--but the Anna's are always here. The Costa's only seem to be here in the Fall-Winter--same with the Black-chinned. I wish I could have gotten a decent image of the baby Rufous. He was ALL rufous (rust) colored--no green on the back at all. And he had the beginnings of the tangerine-colored gorget. Their sound is what triggers your attention. It can't be mistaken for any other hummer.
-Ron-
Lucky!! I have started to see youngsters but nothing other than the Anna's yet. They are hanging out in the patio wishing for the rain to stop. They do get along better when the alternative is getting wet! Lol.
You can't see the little squirt, but there is actually a hummer feeding on the other side.
Last night just after the sun passed the horizon, I was sitting there at dinner and there were seven of them sitting on the feeder and two more perched on the arm. There are only three feeder holes! They seem to harass one another continually until the sun sets and then they realize they have to get down to business. That's the only time I see them roost in a group (after the sun sets).
-Ron-
I just saw my first Black-chinned male of the season this afternoon. That's why I went down and got the camera. Unfortunately he didn't come back, but I did get these two terrorizing each other.
-Ron-
Ron, the first pic is really nice, the second is oustanding!
John
Ron,
What a great show! What kind of feeder is that? I like the clear bowl so you can keep a eye on the nectar.
Makes it posible to get a pic of that tongue, too!
I liked the rainbow too in the first pic. Where is Spring Valley, Ca? We are in the middle. Not too far from Barstow. Upper desert. I haven't seen any hummers yet :~(
-Juli
