Rufous Hummingbirds are known as “extremist” hummingbirds for a bunch of reasons.
- they’re unusually aggressive, even among hummingbirds that are known for their aggressiveness
- they reach more northern latitudes (61°N in Alaska) than any other hummingbird
- Measured in body lengths they make the longest known migration of any other bird on the planet
Here in Utah Rufous Hummingbirds are migratory and usually I’ve seen them by now but this year I haven’t. So today I decided to post a few older photos of them that are new to my blog. Each of these photos was taken on Antelope Island on the morning of August 17, 2017.
It’s even possible that the first three photos are of the same bird but I don’t know that for sure.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
On Antelope Island the primary draw for hummingbirds is Rocky Mountain Bee Plant which is what these birds were feeding on. I think it makes a lovely setting for hummingbirds but it can be challenge for the photographer because the relatively large flower clusters often present issues with depth of field.
For this shot that potential issue was accentuated because I was shooting at f/5.6 but I got lucky because the flowers the bird was feeding on are plenty sharp enough and there’s no obvious out of focus flowers behind the bird or the primary flower cluster.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But multiple flower clusters are more difficult, even impossible, to get sharp. In spite of that I like this shot for three reasons:
- it shows the tenacity of the hummingbird to get at a particular flower in the cluster, despite obstacles
- even with all the flowers in the frame I caught most of the bird against a clean background
- I’m not sure how I managed to get the bird’s head sharp even with the flowers directly in front of it but somehow I did
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This photo, with many out of focus flowers behind the bird, is more typical of my results when shooting hummers at bee plant. The soft pinks behind the pink flower cluster mute the cluster’s visual affect but the bird stands out unusually well against them.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Readers know I’m generally not a fan of butt shots but this one appeals to me because of the good look at the female’s colorful and interestingly patterned tail.
Somehow a butt shot to end a post seems appropriate so I’ll leave it at that.
Ron
PS – On an unrelated note, the prevalence of ‘legal’ and illegal fireworks has significantly tempered my appreciation for the celebration of Independence Day in recent years. It seems to get worse every year. On the night of July 4th in my neighborhood it sounded like someone had cranked up the soundtracks to “Platoon” and “Full Metal Jacket” simultaneously. It was simply awful from before sunset until well after midnight – over four hours of hell. I can’t imagine being an animal or someone with PTSD or… the list is endless. And then there’s the inevitable fires.
Last night I expected more of the same as is the case most years. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I heard someone in the neighborhood shoot off fireworks for about five minutes soon after 9 PM and then it was eerily quiet for the rest of the night.
It was bliss.
Our nature journal shows that the rufus birds show up normally right about now. Usually over a three week period starting last week continuing through next. We also have not yet seen them yet this year. It is obvious, for us, because they take over the backyard feeders to the exclusion of everybody else – even the fledgling finches who like to investigate our hummer feeder.
That purple flower is a perfect compliment to this hummingbird 😁
I don’t hate fireworks…I hate what sounds like bombs going off 🤬 Last one went off around 2am… I could go on but I won’t.
I agree, Diana. Many of the explosives folks call fireworks are more like bombs. Politicians who make it legal for private citizens to use them make me so angry I could spit, or worse…
Sounds like the Rufous Hummingbirds fall in the same category as Loggerhead Shrikes and American Kestrels — tiny but feisty!
I’m enthralled by the last photograph today. Her tail is a stunner and I love the little twist in the right wing.
And I would love to shove some fireworks in (or up!) certain places…
Marty, I’d say rufous hummers have both shrikes and kestrels beat in the feisty department. But all three are in the running.
I’m glad I included that butt shot. I almost didn’t.
Love the butt shot.
And again envy you hummers. Any hummers.
Hiss and spit at the fireworks and the idiots behind them is the most printable thing I can say. Like you I am a light sleeper. Each and every year oxygen thieves who live in my vicinity set off fireworks in people’s (ofther people’s) bins.
Inconsiderate and stupid humans are universal, EC. No question about it.
And not nearly enough research money is devoted to finding a cure for or an antidote to stupidity. Or arsewholedom.
We have both Rufous and Anna’s here and they are both very aggressive. Usually, only one bird is allowed at a feeder while all others are chased away. They spend a lot of energy chasing each other away instead of cooperating as many other hummingbird species do. Both species seem equally aggressive although the Rufous are a bit more fearless. The Anna’s are here all year but The Rufous arrive here in mid-February and by mid-July, most of the males and many females have left for the mountains, from the Cascades to the Rockies where they will double their weight in fat to use as fuel for the long flight south. Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking tiny equals fragile. These are amazing little creatures with life-spans of 10-12 years and they have some absolutely incredible adaptations. I hope you see them arriving soon.
I agree, Dan – for anyone who spends much time watching them carefully it seems inappropriate to think of them as fragile.
I remember the other images from your previous posting, the colors are unforgettable, including those of the beautiful Rufous. And that “butt shot” doesn’t really qualify because those gorgeous tail feathers cover any “unmentionable” parts. 😉
As for the fireworks, they were definitely louder, more frequent and more annoying than in years past, likely because public displays were cancelled throughout our area and because some people just can’t deny themselves the opportunity to be obnoxious. I felt like I was living on a shooting range Saturday night, and I’d suggest anyone who thinks we should all just “sleep through it” is really quite out of touch with reality. Thankfully, it was relatively quiet last night.
“some people just can’t deny themselves the opportunity to be obnoxious”
That’s it in a nutshell, Chris. I’m convinced that’s exactly why a large portion of those idiots set them off.
My solution for fireworks – just go to bed and fall asleep. Once you are out, you don’t hear em. If they keep you awake or wake you up, there are all sorts of remedies for that. 🙂
I’m a light sleeper, Bradley. There’s no way in hell I can sleep through fireworks – especially those that literally shake my house.
Oh WOW! What a beauty! I miss hummers visiting me, and this year, it’s all my bad. Given the poor timing of all the medical issues there are a lot of things that didn’t get moved from my to-do list onto the DONE list. Planting hummer-friendly plants and getting the hummer feeders installed was among those things! Harrumph!
Thank you for posting the butt shot. Those tail feathers immediately remind me of a Kestrel. And that makes me wonder if that’s a defensive plumage of some sort. You know how Mother Nature is! She holds her secrets firmly in the unknown! 😉
And fireworks are another topic you don’t want me to start! I get red-faced furious! Thankfully, I’m out in the boonies of rural Arizona (not an accident) and my next-door neighbor’s grandkids are just a tad beyond the toddler stage. So while he did a few fireworks (and sparklers for the kiddos), they weren’t loud, only lasted about five minutes and he stood at the ready with a running hose. Added to that, my dog who was mostly affected by the noise of fireworks is mostly deaf now, so she doesn’t have to wrap herself around my head anymore!
And what Nancy (and others) said!! Yeah, do NOT get me started about fireworks!
You’re right, Laura – they do resemble those of a kestrel. Hadn’t thought of that.
Can you speculate on how you think the pattern might be defensive?
We have had our usual contingent of Rufous here since mid-March. The are heading to the mountains so we mostly have the Anna’s now, as we do year round.
I was watching Great Blue Herons in some trees on Saturday. Every time some nearby “patriot” exploded some ordnance (doesn’t seem to be firecrackers anymore; the size and loudness of fireworks seems to increase yearly with the average American waistline) the Herons would spook and, of course, unnecessarily expend energy.
Lyle, when I put myself into the heads of wildlife and pets that have to endure fireworks without any understanding it makes me damned mad.
I don’t usually get Rufous until August. I have a lot of juvenile broadtailed right now at my feeders.
Fireworks are banned in my area, we still had a few.The 4th was surprisingly silent around here, hardly a soul outside in general. Very ghost townish.
Very beautiful colors on the photos.
Thanks, April. Tana says she has two rufous hummers visiting her regularly now.
Love these pictures and details that it is impossible to see with the naked eye.
The fireworks here in Sugar House were loud Friday & Saturday but not so bad last night. I would like to see fireworks only allowed in professional displays and no personal use but I’m sure that will never happen.
“I’m sure that will never happen.”
I’m sure you’re right, Betty. A governor and legislature lacking both spines and common sense pretty much guarantees it.
The rufous shots are marvelous, as usual; I’m concerned that you haven’t seen any this year.
The fireworks have been terrible; they seem to have been going in for months, thank goodness our 5 pets (yes they outnumber us) don’t seem to mind all that much; there was an incredible video from LA, panning across the city and fireworks were just erupting all over, never seen anything like it; I can’t stand fireworks; possibly because the shows were never great as Berkeley and the Bay Area is often under cloud cover in the summer… don’t see the point of them
NIcky, it may be just because I’ve been going to the mountains so much lately and I usually see them in the valleys.
Yes, I saw that video on Facebook. I found it both appalling and insidious. Here’s a link to the clip.
Beautiful series Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte.
These are some beautiful shots, love em!!
I am concerned for what we are seeing less of around here in VT. Some are writing more positively than I, but it is not just birds with me, but also butterflies, insects generally, moths, etc., that seem to be on a decline. Was it just the very cold spring we had or how humans are handling their environment, wildlife, and each other? Where are our priorities? November is our defining moment!
Dick, to one degree or another I think the unfortunate phenomenon you mention is occurring in many, many places.
I’m with Nancy– a “Peace and Quiet Appreciation Day” on the 4th
would definitely be my choice for a substitute– I feel so sorry for all
of the animals who REALLY SUFFER both for the horrible sounds
and the many brushfires ( or worse ) that are set by fireworks.
That said, I really loved seeing that striking tail-fan in your final image–
just stunning !
Kris, here target shooters have been causing almost as many fires as fireworks. They’re shooting at exploding targets with predictable results.
They can sound like angry bees when they whiz by. When we lived in the mountains of central New Mexico, the Rufous hummers arrived on or about Jul 4th just like clockwork. I wonder if their timetable has changed since we moved away back in 2004.
Their timing us usually pretty reliable here too, Kenneth. Maybe I just haven’t been going to the right places…
Interesting reminder that I have not seen a Rufous in our backyard now for quite a few years. About 14 years back when we first moved here they were very common and were absolutely in charge of what they thought to be theirs. Every time an Anna’s showed up the Rufous was there to chase it away. Great shots and also like the butt shot because it so nicely shows up those pretty tail feathers.
Everett, strange and alarming that they were once so common there and now they aren’t.
I love the butt shot with his wings perfectly outstretched. Glad you and the critters had less noise this year!
Thanks on both counts, Cathy.
The first one is so well crafted, Ron. Just elegant! And the lady’s tail is quite lovely and worth the shot, even though it might not be considered in the art category like the first one.
Firecrackers here the same as where you are. I often walk in the evennig, but was not willing to risk getting hit with a firecracker on the 4th. The 3rd wasn’t much better. Firecrackers should be outlawed, and we should get a peace-honoring national anthem, in my opinion.
“Firecrackers should be outlawed, and we should get a peace-honoring national anthem, in my opinion.”
I certainly wouldn’t argue with that stance. Thank you, Nancy.
Gorgeous little devils! The Rufus, which we sometimes get a few of on their way back south in the fall, ARE aggressive! Butt shot is great for showing the colors. 🙂
Been noted that since many events were cancelled that more individuals bought fireworks this year. New neighbors had some REALLY loud ones – fortunately they were done by about 10 – probably because they have 3 kids all under about age 8! 😉 Critters DO suffer with it…….. 🙁
Judy, I’m not sure why I haven’t seen any Rufous hummers yet this year. Quite a few others around here have.