Some Old Fashion Things…
...Like Sunshine and Fresh Air are Hard to Beat
(Laura Ingalls Wilder)
One from the Archives:
__________________________________________
The Allen's Hummingbird
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird.
Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails.
These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round. Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California.
Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009. She was banded in the same state in 2004.
(Nikon, 300/4.0 + TC 1.4 (420 mm), 1/400 @ f/16, ISO 2500, edited to taste)
Some Old Fashion Things…
...Like Sunshine and Fresh Air are Hard to Beat
(Laura Ingalls Wilder)
One from the Archives:
__________________________________________
The Allen's Hummingbird
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird.
Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails.
These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round. Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California.
Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009. She was banded in the same state in 2004.
(Nikon, 300/4.0 + TC 1.4 (420 mm), 1/400 @ f/16, ISO 2500, edited to taste)