From my front porch, you can easily tell that fall is here. The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are busy, constantly feeding in preparation for their migration south for the winter. For the past couple of weeks, my feeder has been inundated with hummers. I’ve “counted” (I use that term loosely as they flit about and chase each other, all so quickly that you can’t really get an accurate headcount … only a good “guesstimate”). At times, it appears to be between 20-30 hummers, all females or young males (without red throats, as the young male Ruby-throats get their red throats during their first molt. This can be as early as about the fall migration time, or a bit later). One exception: last week I saw a single male at the feeder. If you look closely at the image below, you will also see a Red-spotted Purple butterfly trying to reach that sweet “nectar”.
The image is a bit “soft”. To prevent spooking them, I shot this image through a screen door … not the best way to capture good, optical images!
I have a love-hate relationship this time of year. I love the fall (much more than summer!) and all the wonderful color and wildlife activity, but it comes with a price … losing my winged beauties! But over the winter, it gives me hope that someday soon they will reappear on my front porch!
Photographic Equipment Used:
- Canon 7D Mark 2 body
- Canon 100-400mm, f/4.5-f/5.6 IS lens, shot at 180mm
- Handheld, with IS “On”
- ISO 1250
- Aperture f/5.6
- Shutter 1/400 sec.