Weekend Birding: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are found in the Eastern US and Canada and are the most common Hummingbird in North America. I have seen many of them this week as they pass through the Chicago area on their way south. They spend their winters in Central America and to get there they must fly across the Gulf of Mexico, an amazing feat for this tiny bird.
The white tips on the tail feathers tell me the bird in the photo above is probably a female. Adult males have a bright red throat and emerald green wings and crown. The female lacks the red throat and has white underparts. Immature hummingbirds resemble females; males don’t get their coloring until the next season.
The female in the photo below was kind enough to pose for portrait before flying off into the flowers.
Interesting Note:
Hummingbirds are one of the few species where the male does not help to raise the young. Pairs are together long enough for courtship and mating and then he goes off on his own.
Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. For the summer it will be hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
What gorgeous photos of gorgeous birds Leslie. That first one is particularly beautiful. How fabulous to see many hummingbirds in a week. Thanks for your informative post too.
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It’s unusual to see that many. They are migrating now and I think I bumped into a hungry flock.
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So beautiful! I love your close up photos. I think you should publish a book of your bird pictures. They’re always gorgeous! 🙂
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Beautiful shots. Wow.
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Thanks for the info – didn’t know that about the male not staying around. Stunning photos!
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That first picture is amazing – love the colors in the flower.
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It’s Jewelweed. Some of the wildflowers on the nature trail are prettier than the stuff they sell at the garden centers.
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Lovely pictures, as ever! Oh, why don’t we have humming birds in England! My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/1SXA7W – still on my other blog,
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I didn’t know that. I thought there was a European species but now that I look it up I see Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas.
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I love to watch hummingbirds! They are hard to photograph, though.
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You need luck and a fast shutter speed to catch them.
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I adore hummingbirds….and that first one, set against the flowers, is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
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How do you get these great bird photos? I am jealous. 🙂 I was out on the porch this morning with the camera but only got a couple of shots of the hummers. Sure enough after I went back inside I could hear them chittering and humming away.
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I was in the right place at the right time – and had a little luck. I was standing by a patch of Jewelweed and was looking up at warblers in a tree. I had been standing very still for a few minutes. When I looked down a small flock of hummingbirds were feeding on the nectar. I already had my camera set on fast a shutter speed with auto focus. I was able to get off four quick shots before they moved away.
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I love hummingbirds and have always wanted to get a good photo. They move so fast! Thanks for giving me new information about them. 🙂
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Very nice..thanks.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Saturday Snapshot
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Hummingbirds amaze me in every way. Terrific shots, Leslie!
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Great shots! You continually amazed me with you pictures and your knowledge. Love it.
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Wow. The humming bird shot is just amazing.
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Oh my gosh, these are so beautiful! You have enough photos to publish a book about birds, or bird photography. You are obviously an expert, and an artist.
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WOW! What a fantastic shot – brilliant work!
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Just wonderful that you can sight and capture their picture. I’ve yet to actually see one here in my neck of woods. Hopefully this fall.
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Great shots! Thanks for the FYI about the birds too!
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What a beauty!
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Gorgeous!
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