Hovering Rufous Hummingbird – Nikon D300, f6.3, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
For those of us who love winter, the snow it brings and the birds that typically are found in abundance in northern Utah during the coldest months of the year this winter has been a flop. The winter that wasn’t. Our lows have been higher than the “normal” highs and our highs are more typical of later in March than February.
It is odd. And a bit frightening.
I can’t help but think of the birds I will see later in the year like this Rufous Hummingbird I photographed last August on Antelope Island State Park. But I can’t help but wonder if these warmer than normal temperatures will continue throughout the rest of this year and how that will affect the birds. August is hot here any way but if it is hotter than normal will the Rocky Mountain Bee Plant and other nectar producing flowers die or wither away before the hummingbirds migrate through?
These warmer than normal winter temperatures aren’t just affecting Utah these temperatures are affecting states further north all the way to Glacier National Park in Montana and beyond.
It is odd. It is frightening and I am concerned.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos. Click here to see more of my Rufous Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Super shot of the Rufous Hummer Mia. What was your shutter speed? I imagine you upped your ISO to get a faster shutter speed? As for the increasing temps and lower rainfall, I think we are all concerned about it, at least I hope by now we are. The manzanita is already blooming here and the Anna’s Hummingbird females are building nests.
Love the hummingbird – feathered enchantment I will never see.
Share your weather worries.
What a beautiful picture! Thank you 🙂
An incredible shot…love everything about it…great camera work!!!
Mia, I’m afraid you’re weather pattern is being duplicated all across the westerner states, maybe the USA. We’re having unusually high early spring days in Tucson right now, with temps reaching the mid 80’s. Makes me wonder how hot it will get this summer?
Our community has already imposed watering restrictions; no washing cars, sidewalks, etc. and not planting ANY new plants that require using our most expensive household drinking water! I’m discouraged as I walk the neighborhood and find freshly planted flowering plants that have no reason to be in the desert at any time, let alone now!
I’m wondering if we’ll be capturing shower, dishwasher, and other “gray water” sources for outdoor irrigation.
Which I really think is a great idea! The problem here is we’re all built on cement slabs so no way to get under the home to collect the water at the drain ;~(.
The New Normal Mia. We’re reaching a “tipping point” faster than most of us thought was possible, imho.
Alan
What a stunning photo of the Rufus-absolutely stunning! Thanks Mia