One picture---No ducks, no decoys, no dogs!
- Thread starter Al Hansen
- Start date
Matt_n_Barb
Well-known member
no quacks, no plastic, no woofs.....just a drip off a beak...
Gary March
Well-known member
NIce shot Al.
Gary March
Gary March
jode hillman
Well-known member
Wow, they are very neat. What other species do you see? Back east we have alot of the Ruby-throats, but that's it as far as variety.
Al Hansen
Well-known member
During the breeding season we have the black-chinned and broadtail hummingbirds here. Then right around July 10th, we'll start to see some calliope and rufous hummers. These last two migrate north along the Pacific to breed and come down through the Rockies when heading back to Mexico and Central America. They will stay with us until the third week of August or whenever the night time temps fall below 60 degrees F. The black-chinned and broadtail hummers can stand temps down into the 30's.
Jode, this first shot is of a male Calliope. It is North America's smallest bird. The day I took this picture I went and measured the orange trumpet flower bud that it sat on and it was 1/2" wide. It will give you some idea of how small they are. The female measures about 2 1/2 inches from beak to tail.
The next two shots are of a Rufous male. They are very territorial, much like your ruby throat hummers.
This shot will show you how bright their gorget is.
The last shot is of a male broadtail. When he flies his wings have a metallic sound to them letting you know what specie he is.
Jode, this first shot is of a male Calliope. It is North America's smallest bird. The day I took this picture I went and measured the orange trumpet flower bud that it sat on and it was 1/2" wide. It will give you some idea of how small they are. The female measures about 2 1/2 inches from beak to tail.
The next two shots are of a Rufous male. They are very territorial, much like your ruby throat hummers.
This shot will show you how bright their gorget is.
The last shot is of a male broadtail. When he flies his wings have a metallic sound to them letting you know what specie he is.
jode hillman
Well-known member
Excellent pics and information! Thank you.
Those are some great pic's and a good narrative.
Capt. Brian Rhodes
Well-known member
Nice images guys!
Such cool little birds!
Such cool little birds!
D Behrendt
Member
Simply fantastic pics Al...
Dennis Johnson
Active member
I love thoes little guys, great pics. Is that water rock part of a fountain in your yard or part of a natural spring? Thanks
Dennis
Dennis
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Dennis,
Here is a picture of the water feature that I made for my wife about 6 years ago. The top pond is one of those preformed plastic liners that is 6' long. I then took some flagstone and made a waterfalls that drops down into the large 16' pond that I dug out and then put down sand plus the liners.
Every day they take their early morning baths.
Having that small set up brings in a variety of wildlife that normally wouldn't be here. By the way, Bev and I enjoy our coffee here every morning during the spring/summer/fall. We feed the fish, let the pups run, and just have fun. It is a good way to begin the day.
Al
Here is a picture of the water feature that I made for my wife about 6 years ago. The top pond is one of those preformed plastic liners that is 6' long. I then took some flagstone and made a waterfalls that drops down into the large 16' pond that I dug out and then put down sand plus the liners.
Every day they take their early morning baths.
Having that small set up brings in a variety of wildlife that normally wouldn't be here. By the way, Bev and I enjoy our coffee here every morning during the spring/summer/fall. We feed the fish, let the pups run, and just have fun. It is a good way to begin the day.
Al