Hummingbird tales

EACH EVENING during our family vacation in Ridgedale, Missouri, a female ruby-throated hummingbird passed through the branches of a tree just off our porch. I brought my camera out one night in anticipation of her arrival and, sure enough, there she was. I hung over the railing to grab a series of images. The light and the lovely bird were amazing and the blooms looked like fireworks. It's a great memory from a wonderful trip with family.

- By Edward McFadden

HUMMINGBIRDS

usually aren't deterred by rain. If flying in heavy rain, they'll speed up their wingbeats.

With so much to love about hummingbirds, spotting them out in nature is always a thrill. Take in these extraordinary moments that talented Birds & Blooms readers captured on camera.

I TOOK A PICTURE

of a young male Costa's hummingbird in early January 2019 after a winter rain. It had snowed the week before, and I'd seen him on the same flower when it was covered in snow. But on this day, he perched there for the longest time and seemed to enjoy the rain.

Laura Stafford

TUCSON, ARIZONA

A MALE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

would perch right outside of my laundry room window. I set up a Nikon D7200 camera with a Nikkor 600 mm prime lens inside on a rainy afternoon, opened the window and waited for him to rest on a branch. He was just about to take flight toward an approaching female that would sometimes join him on the same branch. Denise Hilley SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE

MALE RUBYTHROATS

show off their red gorgets (the bright patches of throat feathers) when trying to attract a potential mate.

WHILE ON MY FARM, I captured a beautiful ruby-throated hummingbird dancing among the sunflowers as it sipped the sweet nectar. Sunflowers and hummingbirds always bring a smile to my face. I took this photo with my Canon EOS Rebel T5 camera and a Canon EF 75-300 mm lens.

Martha Tully

GLEN SPEY, NEW YORK