Bring the Bling

     At first glance those piercing little eyes and fiery throat make this little guy look like a fierce little firecracker. It's always so impressive to see brilliant neon flashes of color on hummingbirds or any birds for that matter. It looks like a bit of the tropics when you're so used to dull or bland looking birds in the North. That's probably the reason so many people get excited when they see Goldfinches, Western Tanagers, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and more. They bring a bit of bling from the South and confirm to us that summer has truly arrived. 
     Here's my dominant male Ruby-throat hummingbird from the past few years. He looks a bit angry, but was just doing the duck and stretch before flying off. It was a cloudy day, but perfect for capturing his natural colors. He chose about 5 locations around the garden and waited for any arriving females. Hummingbirds are Polygamous and will mate with multiple females throughout the breeding season. They don't pair up with a female or take part in the nesting process either. They do, however, guard their territory like nothing else of their size, and show a fair bit of attitude.  
     N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. August 2015.

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