Four Different Kinds of Hummingbirds

 We usually have lots of hummingbirds this time of year as they prepare for their long journey south. They have completed their parenting duties and are fattening up before their epic flight. The most common type around here is the Broad-tailed Hummingbird. (Please note: some of these pictures have either been taken on dark days in the rain or directly into the sun and are not very good)

The Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are the ones with the distinctive whistle or buzz that you hear as they fly around. The buzz is actually caused by their feathers and is loudest when they do their courtship dive.

The males have dark throats which appear bright red when the sun hits it just right.

We have lots of flowers in the yard - which they love.

I never noticed the speckles under his tail before.

This is the plainer female Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

The smallest bird in North America is the Calliope Hummingbird. The male also has a red throat - but it appears in streaks instead of solid red. This one was less than 3" long. This is the first year we have identified Calliope Hummingbirds in our yard and we have several.

This is a Black-chinned Hummingbird with black and a beautiful purple throat.

It's really difficult to get a decent picture showing the purple.

Another view of the small Calliope Hummingbird.

This is the bully of the hummingbirds - the Rufous Hummingbird, named for the color on his back. He will guard "his" food source and drive away anyone else who tries to have a drink. It makes for a delightful time watching the hummingbird circus. Did you see his drinking buddy?

The bees are becoming a problem!

I'm beginning to wonder if my camera is having a problem. I just can't seem to get the quality I want.

Why is it that the plainer females pose so nicely when the light is just right - but the prettier males refuse???

Fallout in the Baker-Cruff Backyard!

We had an amazing afternoon yesterday birding in our own backyard! I wonder if the recent storm didn't have something to do with it - maybe keeping the birds at a lower elevation away from the snow.

This is a new Life Bird for both Bill & me. It is a Virginia's Warbler as evidenced by the two bold yellow patches, complete eye ring and the small red patch on top of his head. This was a small, quickly moving bird and I took lots of pictures as I knew it was something I had not seen before.

You can see the red head patch in this shot.

I thought this one was especially cute as he peeked out from the bushes.

The Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were thick. I had to refill the feeder first thing this morning.

This one had me stumped for awhile - but I have decided it is a Hermit Thrush. It was a very small, round bird and I did not see him hang his wings down like American Robin's do. He stayed on the ground hiding under the bushes.

This time of the year, we watch for the return of the Western Tanagers and yesterday we were happily rewarded for our vigil.

He really tried to hide behind the power lines.

We'd had lots of Bushtits - tiny grey birds that are almost too quick to photograph.

...and we have had dozens of Chipping Sparrows flying through the area.

This was a lovely surprise - a beautiful male Bullock's Oriole! He must have been traveling with the Western Tanager. I see more and more evidence of similar colored birds migrating together.

A great day of birding right here at home! The snow storm was almost worth it!

"Dogging" in Pueblo

Bill and I went to the Pueblo Reservoir Park to do some birding - but we felt more like we were "dogging." The Prairie Dogs were everywhere! Yes, they are cute. The park has been affected by the drought with ugly brown grass and dying trees. The water levels are as low as I've ever seen them.

We are not sure what the next rodents are - they looked like squirrels on steroids.

Finally some birds!

This is a young Mockingbird. He still has spots on his chest.

We can always count on the park for Western Kingbirds with their beautiful yellow breasts.

I've decided this is a Say's Phoebe.

I was surprised to see a Killdeer splashing in the water near the dam. It was far out so the picture quality is poor - but the double ring on the neck definitely means it's a Killdeer.

We also stopped by the Pueblo City Park where I can usually spot a few Wood Ducks. I believe these are late eclipse males. All of their beautiful colors will return in the fall.

Back home, it was a beautiful pre-fall evening so we sat outside and enjoyed all the birds in the yard. We have hummingbirds everywhere, the usual quantity of House Finches and Goldfinches and more than our share of Chickadees. Many birds are starting to form larger flocks - getting ready to head south.

The cute little Black-capped Chickadees are some of our favorites. Bill took this picture of one of our guests enjoying the berries in our bush.

This little guy entertained us for the longest time! As the evening light faded, we watched the Nighthawks in the sky. Yes, I tried to take pictures, but was unsuccessful.

Bill noted that the weather-vane is pointing towards Florida and that maybe it's getting to be time for us to migrate. I could be ready in about an hour.

Pamela & Sebastian

My daughter Pamela and 4-year old grandson Sebastian came to visit! We had a wonderful time!

Sebastian and Bill

Bill and Sebastian had fun playing games on my new smartphone.

I made sure I had lots of puzzles and toys for Sebastian - including a new bike. It was just his size and he had fun riding it to the playground.

Sebastian loves to have his picture taken - especially when I tell him I'm going to send it to daddy so he can see what's he's doing.

What trip to Colorado would not be complete without a visit to Garden of the Gods!

Then we headed for the airport where we had a surprise for Pamela - flying lessons!

Ready for takeoff!

After Pamela landed, it was Bill's turn for a lesson - while Pamela took pictures of the mountains, the Broadmoor Hotel, Garden of the Gods, the Waldo Canyon burn scar and the "Roy Rogers Memorial."

Garden of the Gods

 Our beautiful mountains have taken a beating this year.

Broadmoor Hotel

The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

Bill

Bill took this shot of his daughter's neighborhood.

Another day we went to Helen Hunt Falls where Pamela and Sebastian climbed much higher than Bill and I climbed. We had a super visit!

Back at home, the hummingbirds are back! These are Broad-tailed Hummingbirds heading south from their nesting sites to Central and South America.

Male Broad-tailed Hummingbird

 This morning we had a noisy visitor - a Scrub Jay.

Now I know where my flowers are going!!