Last week for a few brief seconds I was pleasantly surprised to have a Rufous Hummingbird in my viewfinder while up in the Wasatch Mountains. I’ve spent a lot of time up in the mountains since May and this was my first opportunity up close with this species of hummingbirds.
Perched immature Rufous Hummingbird – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Rufous Hummingbirds do not breed in Utah but these delightful and amusing flying jewels do migrate through the state. The bird activity in the clump of fruit trees was hot and heavy that morning when this Rufous flew and and I wondered if it came in to check the activity out. I’ll never know of course but I have had hummingbirds appear to do just that during my time in the field.
It was wonderful of the Rufous Hummingbird to land in a location where the foliage in the background had some rusty tones in the leaves that echoed that same color in its plumage.
Immature Rufous Hummingbird lifting off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Rufous Hummingbird stayed on the perch long enough to look around in all directions before it lifted its wings and flew away. I was thrilled that in this photo I caught the very tip of its slender tongue outside of its bill and the wings in a lifted position.
Even though I photographed many other birds that day this hummingbird would have made the trip up into the mountains worth it all by its tiny self.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Rufous Hummingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great photos, thanks for sharing.
Ive seen one of these yesterday in all its gorgeous orange glory buzzing fast and loudly in my yard chasing all the black-chinned, Anna’s and Calliope from my five feeders. Extremely territorial little bugger! Also a hummer with vivid bright purple on front of neck and on top of head(not pink or red)..PURPLE! but wasnt sure if it was a Costas. We’ve had a major wildfire in my area thats when i started seeing an increase of hummers in my yard. I live in Lake Elsinore, Ca BTW
Wow Mia! What absolutely gorgeous pics! I am just amazed at how you captured the iridescent colors of the Hummingbird so vividly. Incredible. Thanks.
Very nice pictures of a pretty, and fast little bird.
Hi sweetie! I am sure this is the hummer dad seen when he was growing up in W.V. Great photo’s I so love my hummers here! Love mom
What a beauty. Long may they survive and thrive.
Beautiful shots of these usually fast-moving lovely little birds, Mia!
All we ever see at our feeder is the Black-Chinned Hummingbird, so these great images are a welcome change and appreciated.
What a great shot!
I’ve had these little golden comics at my feeder for the past month, they are so much fun to watch. Great pics Mia
BeUtiful
Such extraordinary ray pattern of lines on the throat and that white dot behind the eye. Curious little migrant!
I agree about the background colors…they sure do compliment that little bird! Neat photos!