This morning, I watched copulating hummingbirds. Unfortunately, there are no pictures—which is not a result of my lack of trying. Clearly, things are beginning to happen.
Our region has an unusually high diversity of hummingbirds for Canada: three species and, sometimes, an accidental fourth. The Rufous Hummingbird is so frequent as to be almost ho-hum—despite its considerable beauty. The other two hummingbirds are the Calliope and the Black-chinned. Other years, I have seen all three. Accidental appearances have been reported of Anna’s Hummingbird; yet, I have never seen one.
In the spring, male hummingbirds arrive first. We have had male Rufous for some time, and now females are turning up. Today, I photographed my first male Black-chinned Hummingbird for the year; I assume females will arrive later this week. I have yet to see this year’s Calliopes.
A female Rufous Hummingbird visited with a spider’s thead strung between its crown and bill tip. Hummers use these threads to glue their nests together; clearly, nest preparations are underway.
A male Black-chinned Hummingbird has finally arrived.
The male Rufous Hummingbird continues to dominate the scene.
