AUTUMN
DECEMBER 2012

July 8, 2010

HUMDINGER !


Humdinger: noun : a striking or extraordinary person or thing: (1904)

It was an extraordinary event that I was able to capture pictures of the Hummingbird that visited the Monarda (Bee Balm) this morning. 


I was on the deck taking in the many sights around me,  butterflies, birds, chipmunks, and rabbits when I heard a loud call from a Bluejay high on the pine branch . He flew away too fast for a picture, much to my dismay, but something else caught my eye by the Monarda, and my camera and I were at the ready.

"Have you ever observed a humming-bird moving about in an aerial dance among the flowers - a living prismatic gem....it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description."  
~W.H. Hudson,Green Mansions







There are three kinds of Hummingbirds that are usually seen in Massachusetts from May to mid-September:
~Ruby-throated Hummingbird
~Rufous Hummingbird 
 ~Allen's Hummingbird
All three of the males have brightly colored throats but females do not

I believe this bird to be a female Rufous Hummingbird. In some of the pictures you can see black streaks mixed in with the white at her throat. And her feathers and crown are the same green.

"Ruby-throated females have white feathers that cover their throats. Rufous females have white feathers covering their throats as well, but they also have dark colored feathers streaking throughout the white feathers. Female Allen's Hummingbirds also have white feathers covering their throats, but also have red feathers that create spots throughout their white throats. "   

6 comments:

Lise said...

What beautiful photos!

Fairie Mom said...

What an incredible sighting and to be camera ready everything!

Unknown said...

Very cool! You probably already know this but the red petals of bee balm are very tasty! You can use them in salads (as long as they haven't been sprayed with a fungicide or anything). Try putting one petal on your tongue. It has a magical taste - a little sweet, a little fruity - hard to describe but delicious.

Unknown said...

You did it!!! Wonderful! I believe I had a female vistor yesterday, but I WAS NOT camera ready... It was down in the basement office! By the time I got back upstairs my little friend had moved on!
Good for you!
Dandelion Wishes,
Deb~

softearthart said...

Oh my goodness, how lucky you were, beautiful pics, cheers Marie

Cheryl said...

What a great moment. And you captured it! Great photos.