Summer Pleasures – Watching Hummingbirds

One of summer’s greatest pleasures for me is sitting on my porch that has transformed into a jungle of house plants now outside for the season, potted plants waiting for a forever-spot somewhere in my landscape, and vines and grasses stretching towards the sun. There are wind chimes catching the slightest breeze, and a hummingbird feeder.
This summer, more hummingbirds have come to our feeder than ever before. Sometimes there are so many of them that they sound like an old-fashioned army of propeller airplanes roaring over our heads.
Every once in a while one of them sits still and watches the action, like this male ruby-throated hummingbird:

Hummingbird on hosta flower

Once the hummers take flight, they move so fast that my camera can only capture them in blurry mode. I still like the images, especially when they show off their acrobatic moves (they can fly backwards!), and the way they use their wing and tail feathers to control speed and motion.
These are ruby-throated hummingbirds. Only the males have a red throat. As you can see in some of the pictures, they are territorial and try to chase their competitors away using their wings and beaks. (Click on any picture to enlarge)

For my earlier posts on hummingbirds, check Avian Jewels, Hummingbird Ballet and Hummingbird Rescue. They are fascinating little creatures!