It's All About Me

    Sitting high over the garden, he can spot any intruder. Whether newly arriving females or those pesky males taking advantage of the yard, he's on the lookout for all of them. In his mind it's all his. "That's my fountain, my feeders and my garden". In his world, "it's all about me". He's competed with all the other males, won the battles, and taken control of his territory. He's no longer afraid of the others, because he's defeated them all. He sits high up, open for the world to see. His intentional visibility is a threat to every hummingbird that attempts to take what's his. 
     This is the typical situation in every garden worth fighting for. The early arriving males in Spring are attracted to the most irresistible gardens out there. Battles ensue, and the toughest, meanest hummingbird takes control. The losers of all the battles are forced elsewhere, perhaps a garden not far away, just knowing they are near multiple food sources. Also knowing that if something happens to the leader of the pack, they are only too willing to step in and fill the role. 
This is Ziggy, the proud male Ruby-throat hummingbird of our garden for at least a few seasons. He's relaxing and doing a morning stretch while he watches over all that's his.
N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. June 18, 2018.

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