H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 602 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

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

Tags: birds, nature, photography, photos of birds, Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Cranky Doves

The heat wave is still on in Georgia and making this summer hotter than usual. We’re not enjoying a regular season because of it!. Being outdoors for any events is definitely uncomfortable. It takes a short time outside and very quickly, the heat becomes intolerable for anyone. I for one… get sweaty and cranky!

I imagine that this weather conditions also affect the bird’s mood because I’ve noticed the Mourning Doves getting a bit rowdy and quite confrontational. Sometimes I see there’s a melee going on with the doves in the middle of it all and seeds fly around or the clay saucers fall to the ground making a real mess, then by day’s end the birds have eaten every seed that was spilled.

It hasn’t rained since early last week, the humidity is really high everyday and makes the air steamy…Yuk!

Photo Gallery

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

Tags: birds, Mourning Dove, nature, photography, photos of birds

Look Outside my Window!

It’s so nice to see birds like House Finches arrive to the feeders, not one family but two or three together and all their now juvenile new brood. I admire their closeness and behavior as a group, They are very organized birds, as collective rules are followed for their own safety. They do take turns to feed, the parents eat first and test the area for any threats, while the brood waits at a near location, when the parents return the young birds move to the feeders and eat under the supervision of the adults that are close by. Of course, this whole operation takes only a few minutes, once the families have fed and are satisfied they all depart as a group. Very neatly done!

Our backyard holds nests for several Northern Cardinals families, very active daily at the feeders as usual. This year I’ve seen many new offsprings , products of these multiple families. Now, they are at juvenile stage and quite full of energy, they move fast and they are not still for a second!. Both male and female are everywhere. It’s delightful to see them but it’s hard work for the photographer and get good shots! I love them anyways!

My Carolina Chickadees are as active as ever, I always see two or three of them going back and forth to the feeders, picking up sunflower seeds and take them to the tree area where they must have their nests. These little birds are very dedicated to their home and nest. Once they have found a mate, their main duty becomes to build a safe nest and then breed their offsprings. Parenthood will be their priority after that!

Bonus: I have my cameras not only trained exclusively for birds, I do shoot other subjects also. In this case it is a Blue Dragonfly. I couldn’t pass the opportunity of seeing it and not shoot a picture.