We are a few weeks into the hummingbird season. It started slowly with the arrival of male Rufous Hummingbirds. Then some female Rufous arrived. Now are added the Calliope and Black-chinned. Sometimes they share a feeder, sometimes they fight to dominate access to what is actually a plentiful resource.
This is a week-old view of a male Rufous when it had the feeders all to itself.
The male rufous hummers spar over feeder access.
Female Rufous hummers have arrived.
An occasional Black-chinned Hummingbird visits.
Our smallest hummingbird, the Calliope, comes often and seems to go unchallenged by Rufous.
My most spectacular shot of the morning was of a male Rufous Hummingbird that was attacking another hummer from above. Its two notched tail feathers are clearly visible.
These photos are stunning! Seeing the different species so closely is wonderful. Thank you!
Last pic stunning! Wow.
Thank you for your consummate skill in bringing us close to
these exquisite little creatures. Such a treat.
I did not know that we had the Black-chinned hummers. Are they just passing through, or do some stay for the summer?
Dawn, we regularly get three species of hummingbird for the duration of the warm months: rufous, calliope, black-chinned. And sometimes we get Anna’s.
Amazing photos! Thanks for sharing!
Here in the Little Slocan valley, I saw for the first time ever, a Black-chinned, last summer, and again yesterday at the magnolia tree. I also saw my first Ruffous a couple of times. The Calliope has been constant over the years.
The Ruffous approached some cut flowers I was holding , and I could feel the wings fanning my hand and hear them clear and loud. He then darted up to my face, and quickly away. I was in heaven.
Fantastic shots and commentary. Thanks for sharing through the email list of the White Rock Surrey Naturalists. I will share them in turn with my grandchildren in Ontario. They will be thrilled to see these photos.
Absolutely amazing photographs Alistair