2009 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

A male came by late this afternoon.

I heard one buzz by today and several others in my community have reported seeing them. I had put a feeder up a few weeks and then took it down but after hearing that "buzz" I ran and put it back up. I am hoping to actually see one tomorrow and therefore be able to post a pic, too

Saan, I like your beautiful male!

Good one Frank!

I finally got him!!! It took forever because he seemed so skittish.

Great job cb!!! Congrats!!!

Wonderful cb. I hope that is the first of many more this year.

Today's hummer

Beautiful male you have Frank!

a lovely lady showed up today. The two of them were fighting so over this little one-port I went ahead and put a mulit-port feeder up this morning.

Nice one cb!

My first hummer of the year! I hope she stays around.
Rendon, TX (just SE of Fort Worth, TX)

Enjoyed all the photos!! So extra exciting when they first come in and getting that 'Very First photo!"

Congratulations CB and Missy!

Such cute little hummers! Very nice pics too!

Not a good photo but today's hummer.

Oh, nice pics. I am anxiously waiting for mine to arrive back. I have one that feeds at my kitchen window, and when they return they usually fly up to check it out to see if the feeder is up yet. I guess it is true that some return to the same area. I have yet to see a nest, but they are so busy in and out of my apple trees, I am sure they have one somewhere up high!

Teresa in KY

pic from today

Nice pics!

Ditto.. The second one is a close shot!

This Ruby-Throated came by for a drink and rest at 4:28 today. I have not been able to find out yet if the lack of color is a trick of the light or a pigment thing.

I finally got one hovering. I was so excited.

f_chisolm, "trick of the light or a pigment thing." ...Interesting.

Joan, Congrats! Nice photo!

Congrats Joan. They are really moving north fast now. It was 17 days between the first male and first female for me. You already have females!! Have they caught up and passed the males?

Nice one Joan!

yeah Joan!

YIPPEE JOAN! They seemed to stall but now they are moving north like little gangbusters. 2 more states to go for me. I will hang the feeder tomorrow though. I always do a month ahead of time just in case there is an early bird ^_^

Right after sundown there were so many hummers chasing each other it seemed like September. I have five feeders out and there was activity at all of them. It was way too dark to get pics; but I tried. The trash bin filled up real fast.

I saw a hummer flying around my Oriole feeder in back this morning, (No. I don't have any Orioles.) and my wife said she saw one on a HB feeder in the front. Haven't seen him again. The wind is brutal here today 40-50 MPH. Having some serious grassfires in western OK. Not fit for man nor bird outside today.

I briefly saw one on 3/26, but haven't seen one since until today. I'll get another feeder or two up and maybe have some pics soon.

That great red!

Glad your having so many Frank!

Ohh, I wish mine were back. I love watching them! Is it true that a young male will not have the red throat until it is 2?

Teresa in KY

Hi Teresa, No that would not be correct.

Here is some info from Ruby-throat .org

Near summer's end, young males MAY show one to several red throat feathers but do not get a full red gorget until their first winter. When a young male returns the following spring, some researchers believe his gorget may have an irregular bottom edge (below), and one or more of the throat feathers may be brownish instead of red; this may be a useful ageing characteristic but needs further study.

They get their full ruby throat during their first winter.

f_chisolm, So fun to watch when you got more then one!!

Congrats Red!

I have now had my First Hummingbirds of the season today!!! Got 2 - One male one female, One looked quite well fed the other about normal, Was only able to get a picture of one, Hopefully tommorrow I'll get both, These photos were taken at exactly 7:30 tonight so kind of grainy But, So happy to get a few shots!!!! Got a chickadee while I was waiting for the hummingbird ....

This message was edited Apr 9, 2009 10:56 PM

First Hummingbird of the year ..

#2..

Thanks, Pell
Anyone have a suggestion for a good hummingbird book? I would love to read and learn more about them. Is the rufous coming past the Mississippi
I didn't think I was in their zone. Last summer I spotted one that looked kind of orangish.

Ooops sorry for the cut in the posts! I was excited from seeing the hummers and wanted to post it.

Hi, Iris
What kind of camera are you using? I love that little chickadee picture.

Hi, Thankyou, I use a NikonD80.

Congrats IRIS

Thanks f_chisolm!

Changed all my feeders tonight, Hopefully, Tommorrow, I'll get some good photos of the litttle jewels if I get some time!