Rufus Hummingbird Remains at Mead

I have been returning to Mead Garden after my Sunday bird banding session for several weeks in hopes of relocating the Rufus Hummingbird. I have missed it for the past month! I met up with Marcus and we sat in wait. I had to head out sooner than usual so I was about to take off. At least I could try for a shot of the adult Red-shouldered Hawk quickly circling past us.



I stood to leave and suddenly Marcus shouted, "There she is!". She was only at the feeder for a couple seconds but I caught a glimpse of here behind the low flowers. Can you spot her?



She slowly made her way around to our side but was in deep shade. I could not get any really good shots and I had to process these pretty hard to get any image at all. However, you can see more of the rufus coloring down the side of the bird.



One shot shows the gorget just before she took off. She landed in a tree and the sunlight really brought that patch to light. The wind was really picking up so all we could do was look through our binoculars and couldn't get a clear shot.



Whew. Finally got my sighting for the new year. Who knows how long she will stick around. It has been since October so far.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
Click the icon to learn more!

Catching Up with Random Birds

Starting to realize that some of my photos are piling up without getting posted. Usually just a shot or two and then I get a group that feels like it needs posting first. So, before I get too behind, I thought I would just offer up a mix from the past two weeks.

I took a trip out to Demetree Park one Saturday but did not find a lot of birds that morning. I did see a few Pied-billed Grebes and I managed to sneak up close to shore while one was diving and got a couple close pictures.



The thing I like most about this bird is it appears to be a juvenile based on the bill colors. When they are born Pied-billed Grebes have mottled bills that turn gray and blue-gray as they age.



My first American Goldfinch shot of the year was taken at Mead Garden after our banding day the following day.



Back at work the next week, I took a lunch walk and found this Northern Mockingbird guarding its tree in the small stand of woods across the street.



Still waiting for a sighting of both Bald Eagles. I keep worrying that the other bird had not arrived at all but I got a report that someone got a shot of them mating so he is here somewhere. Whew.



Back at Mead a week later and I caught a brief glimpse of the Rufus Hummingbird still hanging out. If we can keep these nice temperatures then perhaps it will stay all through the Winter.



American Goldfinch numbers are increasing sine they put feeders in the butterfly gardens. They are a joy to hear but this one seemed to give me a foul stare in the shade.



The Goldfinches are feeling rather at ease around the people wandering through. They are on the feeders and all over the weedy edges below.



They all seem nicely crisp. There are a lot of females and few brighter males coming and going.



I waited for a while to get this shot. Wanted a nice profile away from the feeders. Moments later and the bird was off to feed.



Now I just need the flocks to hit my yard. I have plenty of food waiting!

Rufus Hummingbird

The last time I was at Mead Garden I had a brief encounter with a Hummingbird. It flew into view and I tried to get a shot but it zoomed away just as I got focused. Dang. A few days later, a report came through saying there was a Rufus Hummingbird in the butterfly garden. May have been the same critter.

I got a chance to stop back by to check out the find and discovered several of the usual suspect birders hanging out in the garden. It didn't take too long for our bird to start feeding nearby.



Hummingbirds are always a challenge to shot, especially when we were all fixated on trying to get shots of the tail feathers, which are a more certain way to tell if this was a Rufus as opposed to an Allen's. I was happy to get this view, even though the shot does not reveal any tail details.



The bird took off for a while and then returned to rest in the Crepe Myrtle tree for us to watch for a while.



It took its time to relax and then began scratching and preening for a bit. Cute little thing. This had to be a female Rufus and later shots from our friend, Marcus, confirmed it not long after these shots.



My friend Paul has had Rufus Hummingbirds in his yard over the years and I have been trying to get over to see one. This is my Lifer.



I will try to get back for better pictures in the future but, for now, I am happy enough to get this particular species under my belt after a few years. Now we settle in for the approaching Winter ducks and the remaining warblers. Can't wait!