Female Rufous Hummingbird
Many times, we capture wildlife moments that we will never forget. This is one of my moments.
When a heavy downpour of rain stopped couple weeks ago and the skies quickly lightened, I had stepped outside on the balcony to check on Osprey teens Bonita & Brad, who were obviously soaked. I started taking a few photos.
Suddenly, hovering directly in front of me just 2-3 feet away, appeared a female Rufous Hummingbird. I lowered my camera and just stood there looking at her, utterly amazed. She kept her hover while she cocked her head side to side, staring right back at me inquisitively.
No lie, I spoke to her, saying, “Well, hello there.”
A few more seconds and she took off to my right, landing on the tree alongside my balcony. The tree was still glistening with rain drops.
Rufous Hummingbird (female)
Wet from the rains as well, she did some shakes and began scratching her upper chest/lower neck. Beautiful black and white feather patterns developed there.
Scratchin’ an itch…..
Scratchin’ an itch…..
Scratchin’ an itch…..
Scratchin’ an itch…..
Before shooting off to her next destination, the female Rufous Hummingbird and I had a final moment, with her fluffing up pretty for me.
“Looking Pretty, Girl!”
I’ve not had the pleasure of enjoying hummingbirds much personally, so oh yes, I am going to always remember this hummingbird moment!
Interesting fact:
The Rufous Hummingbird has the longest migration route of all North American hummingbirds, flying 2,000 miles during their migratory transits. (courtesy allaboutbirds.org)
Oh, what a beautiful bird, and how wonderful you could have a private “conversation” with her ❤ We don't have hummingbirds here, so it's a real treat to see them through your photos 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Takami! It was an experience I’ll never forget. 😊
BTW, I just have to tell you, yesterday I had to call a local company here in Maryland and the representative’s name was Takami. Hearing her name made me smile and obviously think of you! 🙂
Hello Donna,
Thank you for your reply! I’m surprised that there is someone in Maryland with the same name. Is she also Japanese?😊
I’m not sure, she didn’t say. When I asked her name (for my conversation notes) and she said it, then she started spelling it. As she completed, I told her I had a Japanese friend with the same name/spelling. She was wow’d, she didn’t know anyone with the same name. 🙂
Oh, this made me feel warm and fuzzy inside 🙂 Thank you so much for the clarification, and of course saying I’m your Japanese friend ❤ ❤
❤ 😊 ❤
Great fun 🙂 I usually have minimal luck with them, Ellen is much better. Besides I swear they know she feeds them, not me 🙂
Thank you, Ted! Birds are smart, aren’t they?!! 🙂
Love that last shot!
Thank you, Kathy!
What a treat.
Thank you, Chris, I agree!
Really beautiful photos Donna. And what a wonderful experience to have😊
Thank you, Belinda! It was a marvelous moment! 😊
superb shots and wonderful luck with camera at the ready
Thank you, Stephen!
Wow, how could such a tiny creature travel so far? Amazing! Humming Birds buzz around my home all year, they are so sweet!
It was certainly a treat for me, with her three stories in the air, flying by, and stopping to say hi to me! 😊
She’s beautiful, and that encounter was too! What a gift!
Thank you, Deborah, it was most definitely a gift! 😊
Lucky you, to be able to experience such a special encounter! You got some lovely photos, too!
Yes, what a treat! I have yet to encounter a hummingbird. Lucky you! They are amazing!
Thank you! I have never had a close encounter with one except years ago only because I had a hummingbird feeder then. I do feel lucky with this amazing moment!
Sweeeet! What a fantastic encounter.
Thank you, Brian, it was!
Wow! What an incredible encounter. I’m so glad that it landed near you so you could get some pictures. they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Susan! I am too!! 🙂
Awesome pics… and quite a change in avian size!!!! 🙂
Thank you, Tom, yes big difference! lol 😉
You are so fortunate to see this little beauty, I wish I get her to visit me sometime. Great shots! I have a couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that eat their nectar very early in the morning and late afternoon, not in between because it’s too hot and the nectar gets warm. Too dark to get good shots. 🙂
Thank you, HJ, I feel very lucky with this moment. And then to find out it was a Rufous was even more exciting! I’ve only photographed Rufous’ out west but did just learn they are present much more now on the East Coast. One could show up for you some day…..fingers crossed! 🙂
I love these little birds Donna and hope one day to see them. I would call this Hummingbird golden more than rufous. Great shots!
Thank you, Ashley! I hope you see one some day. This gal here is definitely a golden beauty! 🙂
Did not know that the Rufous Hummingbirds ventured out to the East Coast. Had to go to eBird for various sightings in your neighborhood. The Cornell map showed nothing East of the Rockies. What adventurous little bits of feathers! Yours looks like a slimmer model of our Rufous bunch. Nice that you get them, too!
I actually thought it was a juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird at first because I didn’t think Rufous Hummingbirds were present on the East Coast. E-bird shows they are all over, appears they’ve learned to live here as well now. I wonder if they breed here too? I couldn’t find that answer. I had my first sighting of a Rufous in 2016 at the Grand Canyon, but this one moment tops that time for sure! 🙂
She must have been waterlogged after the downpour!
I am sure she was, poor gal! 🙂
Great pictures! She did you an honor by posing for you!
Thank you, Terry, I think so too!!
Thanks for sharing the special moment and beautiful photos, especially “looking pretty, girl!”😁
Thank you, she is a pretty girl for sure! 🙂