One of my friends who says that he has been seeing hummingbirds before I saw them August 21, said he quite possibly has been seeing hummingbird moths, which are quite big and mimic hummingbirds. I have heard of them but I don't think I have seen them . What have been seeing are definitely hummingbirds.
In any case, here is a good website on these moths, what they look like and photos. Maybe you have seen them.
I was wondering how these wonderful birds evolved? There are not fossils so they are a fairly recent species. It seems like they may have evolved from Swifts. More here
These photos are wonderful. My friends in nearby Wyandotte county, KS (near Kansas City), have seen them at their feeders. However the hummies have not come to my feeder. They usually return August 22 on the dot the last couple of years so I am hopeful that will return so I can see them here. But there photos are wonderful. Thanks eric
THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD...
Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest! This is truly amazing.
Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest.
It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share.
2007 was my 2nd year down to Tucson during July to visit my (former business partner and ) friends.
My main intent was for me to photograph and videotape 14 different types of hummingbirds near the Sierra Vista area ( just south of Tucson). I had a grand time doing that for 2 days. Gosh I love those little birds!!
BTW it is called Beatty's Ranch and they have reasonable rates for their bungalows. Very nice owners. If you all are down that way try it out but check ahead beforehand for availability. Nice restaurants nearby in Sierra Vista (Asian, Italian and more).
When you are in around the Tucson to Phoenix to Scottsdale you can also try the following (as I did);
First get a AAA book if you have one or borrow one for Arizona. I also purchased and used the Frommer book for Arizona.
* The Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson with fabulous flora and fauna. (I can't believe of all that I saw I missed the gila monster which I've always wanted to see!). A must! * The Kitt Peak telescope obervatory buildings and telescopes ( I liked it - hey I do astronomy too!) * go for night walks (check locally) or at the Desert Museum * Kartchner Caverns state park (south of Tucson) - I have spelunked in many area of the USA and someday I will go there * Southeastern Bird Observatory (south of Tucson) * Make sure you try one of the fabulous restaurants (Poca Cosa in Tucson is one I want to go to but 2 years straight they were shut down for a few weeks when I was there). I had one of the best meals at the J-Bar (very reasonable this time of the year!) with their pecan encrusted chicken, lamb appetizers and the incredible chocolate jalapeno sundae!
Don't ever try to go across streams in streets etc that are started by rains and monsoons. Last year they had a dramatic rescue on live TV of a woman who did this and her car had water all the way to the roof before she knew it. She was standing on the roof of the car and a helicopter airlifted her off before car went down the river.
N and west after the hummingbirds, I was trying to find another hummingbird havenin Patagonia. I had taken pictures from afar of a rainstorm a couple hours before. Finally I found the place and was rounding the bend to go over the streambed to the place. This is what it looked like.
The water had risen from nothing and a drybed to feet! So I could not see the hummingbirds at that place that day (it was across the road) as I had to get back to Tucson. But this was an eye opener about Monsoons!
Here is one photo I took at Beatty's last year. I will post more soon. ? let me know
These birds are so magical. Now that I have seen my first hummingbird this year date: 5/25/07 where: Olathe, KS near Kansas City USA location near: my feeder out front my house on front portch area number:1 kind: juvenile or female ruby throat
I will post (1) my videoclips (2) photos (3) hummy facts and trivia (4) links (5) videolinks (6) more
I am a teacher, stormchaser, eclipse chaser, comet hunter, blogger and website builder. I am the Comet Obaserver Award Coordiantor for the Astronomical League and am a reviewer/ writer for MacCompanion, my listserves, blogs and more. I am an avid Macintosh and computer user, photographer, videographer. I am a world traveler, food reviewer for Urbanspoon.com, so please look at my website, reviews and vote for me. My 2001 eclipse photo was featured in Astronomy magazine.
The Kansas City area is on the cusp of ruby- throat sighting. However I have never seen any of them until August usually for a month.
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