September 7, 2008 Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds
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Ruby-Throated Hummingbird 1
Hummingbirds are just fascinating and fun to watch. Their movements are just amazing. Karla and I worked on our retirement home last weekend placing rock on the foundation. I had the camera set up by the feeder and between mixing mortar and placing rocks we watched the hummingbirds
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird 2
They expend an exceptional amount of energy just fighting with each other. I watched as two of them faced off about one inch from each other. Then they flew straight up until they were just about out of sight. At times it appears as though they struck each other with their beaks. It happens so quickly that you can’t actually see it; you just hear a clunking sound. They weigh in at one tenth of an ounce so you would think that they wouldn’t be so fearless.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird 3
I tried to get a photo of two of the hummingbirds fighting but I was never fast enough. I took these photos at 1000th of a second and the wings still have movement. I really like the hummingbird’s reflection in the bird feeder.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird 4
I wanted to get a photo of a male with the ruby throat but all the adult males must have already headed south. The young males don’t acquire their full red throats until after their first molt.