Even the hummingbirds loved the rain today. First rain in a very long time here. Isle Lake Alberta Licking the raindrops.

Activity is dropping. Soon they will be gone.

Isle Lake Alberta

Enjoying the flowers in our garden.

Isle Lake Alberta

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America. Wikipedia

Isle Lake Alberta

Always a joy to watch and so much fun to photograph!!

In our backyard. Quebec, Canada.

Nikon Z 9, 800mm S PF, 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 720.

This is breeding time for these jewels and this male has been busy doing the large U dance in front of the females. Once they mate the female will build the nest and raise the young and the male will defend his food territory and run off any other hummingbird including his offspring and mate to his area. Have a great week my friends! ~Sam

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2-VGDF4y18

Thanks so much for the visit!

Still a few hanging around the garden. Isle Lake Alberta

This dominant male ruby throat hummingbird's favorite spot to watch his domain and do his yoga. :-)

I'm sure those of you who followed me last year around late summer and early fall remember a spunky little juvenile male hummingbird named Buzz who dominated my photos. Well, a solid eight months later, and it appears that Buzz, after crossing the eastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico twice, has found his way back to my yard and quickly assumed control. I'm glad to have him back, and I hope I see him often this summer.

Perched on privet making sure no others are stealing his nectar.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fly straight and fast but can stop instantly, hover, and adjust their position up, down, or backwards with exquisite control. They often visit hummingbird feeders and tube-shaped flowers and defend these food sources against others. You may also see them plucking tiny insects from the air or from spider webs.

Thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. On all my images, Use without permission is illegal.

thinking about migration.

This female showed up in my yard yesterday and already fighting between her and the male has begun.

Ruby throat hummingbird enjoying salvia.

Thanks so much for the visit!

It seems to have been a very long wait but our hummers should be returning soon.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird stretching in the early morning light. Thanks for visiting.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Enjoying the water and flowers on a hot day

Young immature ruby throat with a honeysuckle petal stuck on his beak.

Juvenile male side view as he sat on the branch nicely.

Parkland County, Alberta

I now have enough images of bird species to post by Canada Day (July 01 ) to reach my goal of 150, but I have an idea of the species I want to be my posted number 150. I still have a few days to find it.

Added to my Canada 150 Album.

www.flickr.com/photos/donaldsducks/albums/72157678218012351

a summer memory

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The season appears to be over over for me, haven't seen any Hummingbirds in 2 weeks now

A juvenile male, probably born in our area, nectaring on Bee Balm.

Checking me and the flowers out in the garden. Isle lake Alberta

Minocqua, Wisconsin

This little ruby throat hummingbird female has decided this feeder is hers and she is not interested in the mating dances performed by the males yet. Next week and sunny weather perhaps and once she allows a male to mate with her she is done with him till next year. She will go off and build a nest and tend to her two to three eggs and then feed them all on her own till that moment they fly out of the nest and then they are on their own.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_P-v1BVQn8

Thanks so much for the visit!