I've been trying to get photos from the dining window daily, thankfully this morning
I was just in time, and a camera was within my grasp!
She has been visiting for a week now, one lone female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.
Only the male has the brilliant throat patch that reflects ruby red in the sunlight.
No other bird is as tiny, just 3" long, weighing in at 2-3 grams.
Able to hover and fly up and down, it is the only bird to fly backward.
They do not sing but will chatter or buzz to communicate.
The wings create a humming sound, flapping 50-60 times per second,
even faster during chasing flights.
The heart of this minuscule bird beats at an incredible 1,260 times a minute,
and it breathes 250 times a minute.
The Ruby-Throated is the only hummingbird that breeds in the eastern USA.
They range from southern Canada in Summer to Panama in Winter.
The female builds a cup-shaped nest constructed of plant material
and spider webs, gluing bits of lichen on the outside for camouflage.
She has 1-2 broods a year, laying 2 tiny white unmarked eggs.
She also incubates for 12-14 days, then feeds her young for another
14-18 days.
So what the heck are those colorful males doing during all that time. . . . . . . guess
we all know!
Hummingbirds are attracted to red tubular-shaped flowers for their diet of nectar
and insects. I, like most people, help out a bit by hanging a feeder on my
porch each Summer. I have very few flowers blooming right now.
Meanwhile, the garden struggles along through the heat of Summer - but each day
brings tiny miracles if you take time and look carefully.
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Such a beautiful bird Mary. I can imagine your delight! Wish we had them in The Netherlands.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
Madelief x
Oh Mary, these are beautiful photos. And the sign is so true, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThey never cease to fascinate me. I know how fast they move which makes me even more impressed with your beautiful, clear photos. I appreciate your patience at that dining room window, Mary. It paid off and brightened my afternoon today.
ReplyDeleteI just love these little hummers. We don't feed them in the summer, but find some stay around in the winter and then we put the feeder out for them. They seem to find enough in the gardens in our area for nectar. They are hard to capture with the camera, good job. I was trying this morning, but they were too quick.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting facts about these little critters. I try to attract them but so far no luck.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous little visitor to have and enjoy! Birds are so joyous and intriguing to watch.....but they're so under-rated aren't they! Their funny antics always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI know how difficult it is to take photos of birds.......and Mary you have done a superb job!!
Ciao
Robyn
Such gorgeous shots...lovely colors...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, Mary. I rarely see a hummingbird around here, but I've seen two (briefly, as you might imagine) in the last week. One of them was an iridescent green. They are magical!
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
You captured the hummer perfectly! We have 3 fighting at our feeder each day. I just made a new batch of hummingbird food for the feeder.
ReplyDeleteMy husband finally hung the hummingbird feeder; the birds arrived almost immediately. Hopefully this summer's heat is on the way out. I heard our high will only be 91 tomorrow....I can't wait.
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