We get Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in our yard, but they are very shy, zipping away at the slightest movement towards them. These images were taken at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, near the ticket kiosk, with a steady stream of humans much of the day.
There is also a great selection of flowers for the hummers to feed on.
July 21, 2022
A large bed of these purple flowers, maybe Salvia of some kind, kept this Ruby-throated Hummingbird busy.
They both provided me with an unexpected photo shoot.
Just because it made me laugh.
I was taking pictures of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird but ended up focusing on the purple blossom, looking like a gaping mouth, or a hand puppet or ??
We feed the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in our back yard and I’ve tried off and on this summer with limited success to capture good images. Hurricane Dorian stripped a lot of leaves from the Crepe Myrtle trees which gave me a new opportunity.
At the feeder the light was just right to see what I think is the start of the ruby-throat on a juvenile.
This may be the same bird; he was at a different angle so the throat iridescence didn’t show. They fly so fast and three or four were chasing each other making it impossible to keep track.
I first noticed this Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird when she flew through my shot of these ornamental sunflowers. I was surprised that there was nectar in a flower head like this to attract a hummingbird.
This is a view of the back side of a nearby sunflower in the same garden. This variety has multiple seed heads on the same stem.
I spotted a Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird taking a break after feeding in a small flower garden.
After a bit she gave a good shake…
then settled in for a few minutes.
Click on any image for a larger view. Her beak is dusted with pollen.
This summer we have been entertained in our back yard by a small group of hummingbirds zipping around. We regularly see four of them and they spend more time chasing each other defending their territories than feeding. There are at least six other feeders in our immediate neighbors’ yards so there is plenty of spots to go around but they aren’t into sharing.
Occasionally one or two will rest in the Crepe Myrtle or high in one of the Pines.
