ploddinTod

Kurt,

I took out the binoculars to examine this one closely and it definitely had a black patch on the upper throat area. I just now went to the link you provided to do further research, both description and picture, of the Black Chinned. It sure looks like the bird in question. Is there another species that is commonly mistaken for it?

By the way, it is still defending its territory as of this morning. I'm south of you close to FM646. Don't you love that tunnel of live oaks straddling Main Street?

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PloddinTod

WoodKayakGuy

Actually, the Ruby Throated is often mistaken for the Black Chin because the gorget, or color patch on the throat, appears black unless the light strikes it just right.

Hummingbird feathers have no pigment as most other birds do, but reflect and refract light in a process called iridescence that's similar to the way CD's make those little rainbows of color. The gorget on Ruby Throats looks black as smut until you get the sun just right, then it glows red as if someone flipped an electrical switch. Wasn't all that long ago that I learned all this myself, after reporting a Black Chin sighting (to the wrong person, LOL). But BC's do appear here, and because only rarely, folks like the GOS and Audoban Society like to know about it so they can forward the information on to our badly underfunded, understaffed professional scientists/conservationists who record bird movement and migration data.

I've lived in League City for forty years, and yessir, you bet I love those big ol' oaks! What's also GREAT is the series of remarkably intact wetlands that wreath Clear Creek from Friendswood to Clear Lake. It's a miracle they're still there, and I'm past delighted to say, seem remarkably safe for the time being. And have you checked out the monthly FREE bluegrass concerts at the Civic Center? League City is a really cool little town to hang yer hat in!


Cheers, Kurt

WoodKayakGuy

Well, the front blew through early this morning as predicted, and I woke up to a healthy north wind a-blowin'. Had one fat little male Ruby-Throat at the kitchen window feeder at daybreak, that I hadn't seen previously, and then nothing. Not a single hummer all day (that I saw). Reckon they took advantage of that nice breeze and boogied big time.

By this time tomorrow they'll probably be hangin' out on the beach sippin' Margaritas in Cozumel.
:cool:

Turn Key

Have had few the last week or so. Saw one Tuesday but nothing since. Thinking that they've probably headed south. Will clean the feeder tomorrow (Friday) and put it out for one more week. Have the "soup" in the fridge. Probably wouldn't put it out again if I had to make more. Most likely will clean it up and put it away next Friday . Don't like doing it but it does signal the start of prime camping season .

Happy Camping!

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WoodKayakGuy

I'd just about written 'em off for the season, but lo and behold, a little female showed up this morning (9-21-06).

ploddinTod

The two hummers that had won the territorial battle over the weekend (one occupying the east half of the yard and the other the west half) have flown the coupe to points south. :yes: But the good news is that they have been replaced by others.

By the way, Kurt, I do believe the little fella with the black patch on the chin was indeed a Black Chinned female.....no gorget, white breast, white chin area except for the patch, white tips on either side of the tail. She was gone after passage of the cool front.

Curiously, a Ruby-Throat just as you described (gorget appears black) replaced the Black Chinned. I think he too is gone after a day or two. But there are others flying around my yard and my neighbor's yard.

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PloddinTod

WoodKayakGuy

Well shoot, maybe you oughta leave a feeder up during winter, and see if you bag a Rufous! It's been a mighty fine year for hummers, after all. I may have to do it myself, always wanted to.

happybooker1

OK, I finally got the Hummingbird video loaded on Google. If you want to take a look: http://snipurl.com/x0l2

Deb C.

WoodKayakGuy

Deb, that was at your place? Wow, I can only envy swarms like that (so far) down here near G'ston.

Haven't seen any hummers since the latest front (9-23-06). I expect to see more, though, before it's all over.

Cheers, Kurt

ploddinTod

Each passing front sends the current residents south, to be replaced by another group. Always the Alpha-type bird wants the whole yard to itself. But I certainly don't have the swarms that Deb's video clip depicts in Magnolia. :confused:

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PloddinTod

happybooker1

Thanks guys. It was pretty amazing. Happened several times & I had neighbors stopping by to watch! Never happened this year though! Just had a few here & there.

WoodKayakGuy

Dang! Haven't seen a hint of a hummer since making that post (he said on 10-03-06).

ploddinTod

Kurt,

I have more buzzing around now than I've had for the whole season thus far. I get the feeling that they are staging for the BIG FLY to be triggered by the next front.

It's been sort of a long, strange season but I'm enjoying every minute of it. Maybe we can blame it on El Nino also. :laugh: :laugh:

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PloddinTod

ploddinTod

THEY'RE B A C K!

I saw a couple of hummers buzz-bombing each other around my hummingbird plants. This is the earliest I recall seeing them. Perhaps it's a harbinger of an early fall. (I like that thought.)

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PloddinTod

srds

We are down to a few in the Freeport area, until fall and they will be back for awhile.

srds :cool:
Have Fun

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To Camp or Not to Camp -Lets go Camping- Have Fun