It's What I Do

     After doing a post the other day on watching hummingbirds migrate, I had a kind lady tell  me I'm connected with hummingbirds and seem to know exactly what they're thinking and doing. 
     I think she's the first one to truly recognize what I try to do. I'm not a great photographer, I'm not a hummingbird expert on all the species, but I consider myself more of a hummingbird behaviorist. If I get good captures, it's only because I understand them enough to attract them, and know what they'll do. I like to understand every detail about why they do what they do, to recognize what certain movements mean, and to know these birds as best as humanly possible. I think it's only when we understand their behaviors, will we be able to accomplish the most in attracting them to our gardens. When we know what they really want, we can stand out among the rest and attract more of them to our yard. I've seen well into the millions of sightings now, and there's nothing that I haven't seen. From feeding to flying, mating to fighting, I have watched every movement time and time again. I've analyzed every twitch, itch and quirk within these birds. I've studied and calculated the time of feeding, nesting and incubating. I've invested 16 - 18 hours a day for 15 years, and watched them arrive in Spring to the time they depart in Summer. After that amount of time, I can tell you that many of their behaviors I've seen countless times. No, I haven't gone to school to learn about these birds, I've gone right to the source and learned from them. I've stumbled upon circumstances, and studied them for over 15,000 hours. I've been taught by them, and given knowledge by the one who made them, to get to the place I'm at. Just like those who have learned a profession, this is what I know. It's not prideful, but passion for something I love. I'm always willing to share what I know with those who ask, and not hide information for greed. Is there more to learn, absolutely! As long as this is the direction I'm intended to go, I'll continue to learn and be entertained by one of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. 
     This young male Ruby-throat got a bit creative in feeding from the Nasturtium. They usually stuff their head inside the flower to get the nectar, but this youngster found a way to get the nectar while cheating his part in pollination. 
August 9, 2019. N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 

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