Hummingbirds Perched Up High….
Earlier this week, my husband and I decided to get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful spring weather. So, we visited our local Riparian Preserve. We had a great time walking and talking, but we also brought our camera so that we could take pictures of some of the feathered creatures that congregate around the preserve.
As we were walking, I would look upwards at the trees to see if I could see any birds. Sometimes they weren’t always easy to spot.
Local Riparian Preserve
Can you see it?
There is a hummingbird at the very tip of the flowering Palo Verde tree.
As we walked, we noticed quite a few hummingbirds perched high above.
An Anna’s Hummingbird perched in a Mesquite tree.
An Ash tree is the perfect perch for this little hummer.
We were able to get some really great photos, but because of our location, could not always identify which species of hummingbird we were looking at.
But, we did get a great photo of this Costa’s Hummingbird. His sharp eyes never left us.
Costa’s Hummingbird in an Acacia tree.
As we were walking along the trail, I heard the distinctive sounds of a hummer nearby. But, it took me a little while to locate it.
Can you see it?
Anna’s hummingbirds do blend well with their surroundings, except when the sun reflects off of their bright pink throat…
As we were leaving, we saw a few more of our feathered friends…
Black-Chinned Hummingbird
We were fortunate enough to have seen 3 different hummingbird species. Anna’s and Costa’s are year round residents, but the Black Chinned hummingbirds are summer residents, so it was especially nice to see them as well.
You know what? I think the fact that hummingbirds are so tiny might account for their preference for perching up on the tallest branches of trees?
What do you think?
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
… a small man standing on his dignity … as someone said!
I saw a hummingbird today! i don't often see them in the spring; usually they pass through on their migration southward in late summer and fall. We have Ruby Throated hummers here. i have never seen the ones you mentioned. Lucky you to have three different species!