Wednesday 20 June 2012

Humming right along



Humming right along of course refers to hummingbirds. They are so small, so fast and magical to me.

"Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm (3–5 in) range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12–80 times per second (depending on the species). As well to conserve energy while they sleep or when food is scarce, they have the ability to go into a hibernation-like state (torpor) where their metabolic rate is slowed to 1/15th of its normal rate. They are also the only group of birds able to fly backwards. Their English name derives from the characteristic rapid wing beats. They can fly at speeds exceeding 15 m/s (54 km/h; 34 mph)." (Wikipedia)
These are the hummingbirds that visit my feeders. There are two Anna's Hummingbirds that stay all year round, in the early summer that number increases and Rufus Hummingbirds also join the group.





Rufus Hummingbird




Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers, and sugar water from feeders, but they also eat insects and spiders. The nectar is a source of carbohydrate but not much else, it is from the insects and spiders that they get protein, vitamins and other nutrients that they need.

I think this one has just had a bath

Here are two videos I took the first video is a Rufus Hummingbird and the second is an Anna's Hummingbird.






At this time of year there are many flowers to supply the nectar that the hummingbirds use for energy and they usually only visit the feeders in the morning and evening, maybe for a burst of energy.






The throat and head colouring on these birds is often quite intense, you will notice this especially in the last few pictures in this series. Here is an explanation of that burst of colour:
 "Many of the Hummingbird species have bright plumage with exotic colouration. In many species, the coloring does not come from pigmentation in the feather structure, but instead from prism-like cells within the top layers of the feathers. When light hits these cells, it is split into wavelengths that reflect to the observer in varying degrees of intensity. The Hummingbird feather structure acts as a diffraction grating. The result is that, merely by shifting position, a muted-looking bird will suddenly become fiery red or vivid green.[31] However, not all hummingbird colors are due to the prism feather structure. The rusty browns of Allen's and Rufus Hummingbirds come from pigmentation. Iridescent hummingbird colors actually result from a combination of refraction and pigmentation, since the diffraction structures themselves are made of melanin, a pigment." (Wikipedia)









Even though they are very small, you will soon know if you have intruded into their territory. They make a sharp noise and will fly right up and confront they intruder, whether that is the person who fills the feeder or another hummingbird.

The territorial displays and aerial "battles" are quite amazing to watch. They only time that I have seen them share the feeder is late in the evening, when perhaps territory takes a back seat to survival.

A lot of spunk for such a small bird, and they add magic to my world.

Here is another recent watercolour called "Forest Refuge". It is also one I am donating to the Brock House Summer Fair (more on that later).



Thanks again for dropping by, happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ....

29 comments:

  1. Very nice hummingbird photos and videos. We have only one variety - the ruby0throated. How fortunate you are to have more than that who visit your feeders.

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  2. Loved your videos! I wish we had Rufus here in Tennessee, but we only get Ruby-throated and so far I've only saw a few around my feeders.

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  3. Wonderful treat to see the little blighters up close like this. We have one that occasionally appears in a clump of flowers we have growing outside our dining room window and he sometimes hovers in the window to take a look at us "feeding."

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  4. i'm amazed you get to keep some all year long! that's wonderful! i love the photos you took of their 'spangles'. :)

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  5. Those are gorgeous photos, Gillian! We're still waiting on hummingbirds.

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  6. Wonderful informative post! Hummingbirds are such a delight! It's especially nice for me to view the Anna's and Rufous Hummingbird images as we only see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in our area. Your photographs are terrific! I hope you get much pleasure from observing these little wonders.

    Lovely watercolor! You are so very talented!

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  7. Your post today was quite informative on the humming birds. Such gorgeous markings in their necks in the first few photos. Your painting is really nice.

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  8. Lovely shots of one of my favourite birds. We get the ruby-throat hummers here and no others. They're such a delight. I love your painting. You are SO talented.

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  9. Such a great post. I just love humming birds. You have some awesome shots of them.. Even if one does look like he needs a bath.

    What a wonderful painting. You truly inspire me..

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  10. Stunning little birds Gillian.
    I'd love to see these one day.

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  11. Great post!!! I would love to see a Rufous at some point. They come through a couple times during the year here in Tucson. The Anna's are all year for us as well. We have two nests in the tree. You've got some great shots of the Female Anna AND a juvenile male Anna. I love hummingbirds and your post made me smile. Thanks for sharing....those Rufous are amazing. Well they all are:)

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  12. I enjoyed reading about the hummingbirds Gillian. Each of your posts is like a mini lesson. I think you must have been a teacher...

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  13. Fantastic shots of the hummingbirds. They are such amazing birds.

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  14. WoW....they stayed so long, the video's are wonderful!!

    gorgeous images, they are just so beautiful!!

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  15. That watercolor is gorgeous! And love your hummers! I only have a couple, I think, who occasionally fight over the feeders.

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  16. I enjoyed your hummingbird post. The photos are amazing and I enjoyed the video. The Rufus Hummingbird is gorgeous. Hope you are having a great day!

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  17. Hummingbirds are magical to me also. We don't have them out here in Australia but I saw some when I visited in Seattle a few years ago. No idea what kind they were but they were certainly fast.

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  18. oh, all those beauties. You make me want to go back to visit CostaRica again. Love them all.

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  19. Hummingbird is “hachi-dori” in Japanese which means “bee-bird”. The name derives from the sound of wing beat like that of a bee. I suppose English name is from the same reason. Thanks for this inclusive information about such
    lovely hummingbirds.

    Yoko

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  20. Oh...so cute and lovely!!!
    Kisses

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  21. That's such wonderful detail you've captured in the first photo of the hummingbird's chest

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  22. loved your pictures. We have a feeder in our yard and we are starting to get hummingbirds. It is so neat to see them perched on the tree or the stand. Before that I never say them sit still!!

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  23. I miss the wide variety of hummingbirds I use to see in Arizona. here in Massachusetts I only see ruby-throats. Still, I love them all. I tried not to love them but they are hard to resist! Nice pics and a lovely painting!

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  24. it's so nice to visit your blog !
    so beautiful images
    have a nice week Gillian

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  25. They are gorgeous and you seem to have a few different varieties too. Are ants and flies also attracted to the hummingbird feeders?

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  26. Oh gosh - those hummingbirds are the cutest things ever!

    What lovely shots.

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  27. I absolutely love watching hummingbirds. We have one that will fly up and look at us through the window when the feeder is empty. Smart little critters. Love that Rufus!

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