These colorful feathers on the throat of male ruby-throated hummingbirds are used in courtship displays. Their bright colors are only visable from particular veiwing angles. This photo was taken from a preserved museum specimin.

Iridescent colors are unstable, and vary in color and reflectance percentage depending on viewing angle. I took this shot at such an angle as to demonstrate this: The bottom right feathers reflect little iridescence and appear black, and as the angle of the feathers changes as you move up in the image the reflectance increases, and the color goes from yellow, to orange, to magenta.

Spent the day near Millet again and thank you to Greg and Marie for thier hospitality. Don Delaney and I had a great time working on some of the 25+ species that have been seen there.

The annual Strawberry Plains Hummingbird Festival drew hundreds to the grounds in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are weighed, banded, checked for body fat, feather growth and then released. These birds will make a 2,100 mile journey around mid-October over the gulf to Central and South America or Mexico for their winter home. Before making the arduous journey, these tiny creatures must almost double their body weight. Master bander Bob Sargent has enjoyed working with children for years on this project.

Ruby-throated_Hummingbird_082516/1257_144_Highview,_KY

Still trying to get a good hummer shot

Need some sun

My yard

Back feathers

Lighting wasn't on my side with these shots. Ideally I would have been outside. unfortunately I was inside as so had to use a high ISO to obtain the fast shutter speed.

Taken in my backyard

the hummers have started to fledge which makes my 4 feeders very busy .. this little one is just taking a rest and waiting for her turn ...

Date: August 23, 2016

Location: Cromwell Valley Park (Baltimore County, Maryland)

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Hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbird and lantata

As I was watching this bird I assumed it was a female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird but as I was processing the image I notice a tiny spec of red on it's throat which positively identifies him as a juvenile male RT Hummingbird.

Taken in Rochester NY, August '09.

Male ruby-throated hummingbird

Fun little catch from this weekend. Overland Park Arboretum.

My yard

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

video in slow motion (25% of the real time)

One still hanging around our feeder. She will be gone probably by the weekend.

My backyard

This little male arrived at my back yard in mid May to stake out a territory for the summer. This past weekend he was nice enough to land on a twig were the light was just prefect to light up those beautiful neck feathers for the camera.

Love those little Ruby-throated feet!

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Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

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All puffed out with no where to go