Tiny but mighty, a phrase which I often hear used when describing the hummingbird. They are the only birds that can fly backwards and completely upside down. Their wings rotate in a figure-eight pattern, operating like helicopter rotors to allow stationary hovering. They can beat its wings 50 to 80 times per second. They glide at 30 miles per hour and reach 60 miles per hour during mating dives. They are among the most evolutionarily unique creatures in the animal kingdom. They are native exclusively to the Western Hemisphere, with over 300 distinct species distributed across North and South America.
I couldn't get a definite ID on this hummingbird. Two possible suggestions are an Anna's hummingbird or that of a Black-chinned hummingbird. If anyone can verify with certainty, please let me know. It is sipping the nectar from an African arrow/Indian root/Purple arrowroot/Edible canna or Canna lily. All names may apply. Both bird and flower were seen while walking around the San Diego Zoo in California. Another old one from 2013.
Thanks for looking and enjoy your day.
You took this photo? It's amazing! It is almost impossible to snap a hummer, as they move at lightning speed most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI had my long-lens camera back in those days Ginny, and a steadier hand :)
DeleteI love these hummingbirds, and you took a wonderful photo—we don't have them where I live!Thanks for the info..
ReplyDeleteHave a happy day! Hugs, Elke
That's wonderful Elke and you are very welcome. I am glad you enjoyed my photograph. You have a happy day also. Hugs, Denise
DeleteThat is a gorgeous photo of the lily and the bird, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, very please you liked them :)
DeleteAmazing! I think it posed for you. It might be the female of one of the hummingbirds. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThank you for identifying it as a female Linda. I remember walking down the hill and it was another moment where I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She hovered long enough for me to get this photo. Still silently thanking this pretty hummer for the memory all these years later :)
DeleteWunderbarer Kolibri... weißt du, dass eine Orchideenart auch Kolibri genannt wird... sie sind wunderschön wie der Vogel :))
ReplyDeleteWie wunderbar! Das wusste ich nicht. Danke fürs Teilen. Ich freue mich, das jetzt zu wissen. Ich werde online nach dieser Orchidee suchen.
DeleteI have no clue what type of hummingbird this is but that's a beautiful photo. Interesting facts about them as well
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, very much appreciated :)
DeleteLooks like a female Black-chinned Hummingbird. As I think about it, I don’t think I have ever seen a hummingbird feeding from a lily. There is always something new.
ReplyDeleteThere is indeed and thank you for the ID David :)
DeleteTruly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandi :)
DeleteLove the photos...I love hummingbirds!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Me too Donna, I get to see them but rarely :) Thank you and sending hugs, Denise
DeleteGreat shot of the hummingbird Denise! Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, I appreciate that :) You take care and have a great day also.
DeleteBeautiful little bird. They are the helicopters of the avian world.
ReplyDeleteA great description Janice, thank you :)
DeleteSo beautiful.
ReplyDeleterkrsrue.blogspot.com
Happy you think so, thank you Regine, hugs, Denise
DeleteI was quite old before I saw or at least noticed my first hummer. The beauty just about moved me to tears.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that emotion John, very much so :)
DeleteOh, capturing a hummingbird in mid-hover is an absolute masterclass in patience, and I love how your keen eye always spots these incredible little feats of evolutionary engineering. especially since their figure-eight wing mechanics have literally inspired modern micro-air vehicle design! It is fascinating how something so tiny can pull off 60 miles per hour during a mating dive, and pairing that biological wonder with the vibrant, multi-named canna lily makes for such a rich botanical snapshot, especially against the backdrop of the San Diego Zoo.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words Melody. Very much appreciated :) They certainly are little miracles.
DeleteI like road trips.
ReplyDeleteSo do I Red, I miss them :)
DeleteLovey photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine :)
DeleteThose Gems with wings are absolutely adored here. We celebrate their arrival each year in our house with a happy humming bird dance.
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
I would join you in that happy hummingbird dance :) hugs, Denise
DeleteI love hummingbirds. They are so cute, and fast.
ReplyDeleteMe too Mary and they are as you say :)
DeleteSuch a lovely photograph.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday.
All the best Jan
So glad you think so Jan :) thank you and all the best to you too, Denise
Deletewe have very few hummingbirds here. I think we have only two species.
ReplyDeleteLovely! :) I see them occasionally at the gardens but my eyesight isn’t as good so it is a rare time I do see them.
DeleteYou are teaching us about hummingbirds and the photo is excellent. It was beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandie, I am always happy to share what I find :) Sometimes you’re in the right place at the right time.
DeleteLovely! I haven’t gotten any hummingbird pictures this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda and I hope you see one before the summer ends :)
Deletewow What a gorgeous shot! Thank you for sharing it, Denise.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Angie and thank you :)
DeleteThey are so much fun to watch and I love their buzzing sound.
ReplyDeleteI agree Ellen and me too :)
DeleteI think hummingbirds are hard to photograph. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly Jeanie, much appreciated :)
DeleteThat's an amazing photo Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Erika, I appreciate that very much :)
Delete