Georgia Redneck?
Finally! After waiting for a while for the opportunity to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, yesterday there was about 30 minutes of gray sky, most likely a large cloud carrying a lot of water just went by and cooled the air. When I was preparing my camera when suddenly I saw this male RT Hummingbird flying around the bottle and going for nectar! I was delighted to see him, he’s in the process molting only slightly, regardless of that condition he’s still handsome with his ruby red gorget and svelte figure!
He didn’t stay long at all because the sun broke through the clouds and the heat increased very rapidly. The bird simply disappear. Of course, he didn’t stay long but I had enough time to shoot pictures, some of which are shown on this post.
A bit more information about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird:
The species is sexually dimorphic. The adult male has a gorget (throat patch) of iridescent ruby red bordered narrowly with velvety black on the upper margin and a forked black tail with a faint violet sheen. The red iridescence is highly directional and appears dull black from many angles. The female has a notched tail with outer feathers banded in green, black, and white and a white throat that may be plain or lightly marked with dusky streaks or stipples. Males are smaller than females and have slightly shorter bills. Juvenile males resemble adult females, though usually with heavier throat markings. The plumage is molted once a year, beginning in late summer.
Photo Gallery
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
It’s great you were there and ready to go, capturing these lovely shots, because he didn’t stay long. Great post, HJ. 🙂
Thank you Jet! It was a treat that I enjoyed very much, such small creature flying like a “Nymph” 🙂
Well done for capturing him in a slightly cooler moment.
You’re right about that Susan, I tried something today, there’s a window of time equivalent to 15 or 20 minutes before the sun breaks through the trees in the morning and it’s still cool, I waited and saw a female hummingbird fly to the feeding bottle to get nectar! — but as soon as the sun rays shoot through the trees directly, the bird just flies to a safe place by the trees. It gave me the opportunity to shoot some pictures though! Thanks Susan! 🙂
Great post title HJ! 😉 I see my wish I made for you yesterday didn’t quite happen did it? Beautiful shots!
It did give me encouragement for another day! Thanks Clare, you’re a great friend! 🙂
My pleasure HJ!
Glad your patience was rewarded!
Patience I have, money I need! 🙂 Thanks Cindy, yes you’re right!
These captures are wonderful, HJ! Love the reds and greens, nice! 🙂
Thank you Donna! 🙂
OK. Now I have to go look up ‘dimorphic’!
“Sexual dimorphism, a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species.”
Thanks. Now I have to look up ‘phenotypic’. (smile)
🙂
Hmm, a handsome hummingbird, especially in your third photo! Ruby red throated and iridescent plumage! Lovely and interesting post. 🙂
Thank you so much Iris! 🙂
Well worth the wait, HJ.
Indeed! Thanks Tom! 🙂
Your patience was rewarded! A beautiful redneck 🙂
Ha, ha… Thanks Tiny! 🙂
Love these, H.J. Especially the ones with their wings spread hovering and drinking. Your bird visitors are so lucky – you treat them with such great hospitality!
I’ve grown very fond of birds! I’m sure you’d do the same for them! Thank you Carol! 🙂
So glad this jewel came to visit, H.J., and that you were ready to capture the moment!
Thanks Amy! It’s a pleasure to see it! 🙂
So beautiful! Thank you for posting these. I have two feeders with some active little guys but they are two fast for me! Great information too!
Thank you very much Mary! 🙂