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Ruby Tuesday — Hummingbirds

I haven’t participated in Ruby Tuesday in ages, but when I downloaded the pics I took this morning I knew Ruby Tuesday is exactly where they needed to be seen! Pop on over and see Mary at Work of the Poet to see even more ruby red goodness.

Hummingbird Gossip

These two little ladies were gossiping at the syrup station. I tried to get close enough to hear what they were saying —

Lady Hummingbirds

But it is pretty darn hard to sneak up on a Hummingbird. The lady’s glare made it perfectly apparent I wasn’t going to be invited into the conversation.

Hummingbird Couple

About that time Mr. Hummingbird came in for his lunch and chased the old gossiping biddy away. From the looks of the Missus, I’m thinking she didn’t appreciate it.

(Your Friendly Neighborhood Amoeba has a slightly different take on this tale. Have a look at the dark tips on the tail feathers of the “old biddy” in the second picture. Said “old biddy” is in fact a young male, not quite come into his full glory. But close enough for the man of the house to have his suspicions and chase off the interloper. No wonder the Missus didn’t appreciate it. Coo coo kachoo, Mrs. Robinson …)

32 Comments

    1. Teresa — buy a feeder with a perch and put it somewhere you can see it but where the hummingbirds will feel safe. Then keep it full of yummy sugar water (one-fourth cup sugar to every cup of water.) They will come to eat and they will perch.

    1. Dimple — I was standing inside my sliding glass door with the camera sticking out – -and I have a very nice zoom lens courtesy of my love.

  1. I love the glare over her little birdie shoulder! These photos are exquisite, Quilly! You have such a gift and an eye . . . and lots of patience!

    Do you know what the name of this type of hummingbird is? They look very different than the ones I’ve seen here on the East Coast!

    1. They’re Rufous Hummingbirds, the most common species here. The eastern hummer, the Ruby-Throated, usually doesn’t venture west of the Rockies. There are more than a hundred hummingbird species, but most of them don’t travel north of the Tropic of Cancer (California might see half a dozen or so).

      1. Kelley — check out Amoeba’s update to my post. The paragraph he added at the bottom puts that “over-the-shoulder glare” in a whole new light!

  2. I love the story and the pictures! I’m also jealous because I haven’t yet seen a hummingbird this year despite my faithful attendance to our feeder!

  3. Hahahaha I like your story. I agree you are not invited to know what they are gossiping about hahaha just by that look it says “come on don’t snoop around” hahaha. This post makes my day.
    Where you get your bird feeder? They look very pretty. My hummingbird won’t stay that long too. Any tips? ^_^ Happy Tuesday!

    Ruby Red Tuesday

  4. Great pics!
    I do love hummingbirds.
    They are so ornery though!

    1. Logo — yes. They buzz me when I am tending my container garden and they think I’m too close to their food.

    1. Barbara — did you see the paragraph Amoeba added to the bottom of my post? It gives a totally new interpretation to my story!

  5. no hummingbirds in this part of the world, more’s the pity, so i am enjoying your views (and the accompanying story) πŸ˜‰

    1. Polona — they are magical creatures no bigger than your thumb and more attitude then a pit bull with a grudge.

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