Energy on the fly

​"Coming eyeball to eyeball with a hummingbird on my terrace is as exciting to me as any celebrity I've met as a result of Downton Abbey," actress Lesley Nichol said.
I totally agreed with the quote despite that fact that I have not met any celebrities. However, I have come face to face with several hummingbirds. The experiences were very inspiring and moving.

Speaking of moving, hummingbird activity has increased at the feeders here at my home in Pinegrove Township. The rise in numbers was most likely due to fledglings feeding. 

Longtime local birder and author Gary Edwards in his book "Birds of Venango County" pointed out that females and young males can often be mistaken for one another.

The younger males don't sport the ruby-red gorget that is the namesake of the hummingbird. 

The Audubon field guide on their website, said that the "age of young at first flight about 20 to 22 days."
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According to the post the hummers usually have one to two broods per year, sometimes three.

​The post went on to say that' females may begin building second nest while still feeding young in the first."
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"Thought to have declined in some regions in recent years, but surveys show no distinct downward trend," the post continued. 

It certainly seemed as though there was no drop in hummingbird numbers at my feeders this season. 
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The air around the feeders and garden was filled with them. 

The buzzing and squawking went on from dawn until a little after dusk. 
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The feisty little flyers continued to amaze me with their aerial combat maneuvers. 

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They kept whizzing by chasing one another in a game of tag in the air. 
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While near the garden, I felt like I might need to take my hard hat and safety glasses home in case I end up in the line of fire.

The All About Birds site described just how amazing their flying is.
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"Ruby-throated hummingbirds fly straight and fast but can stop instantly, hover, and adjust their position up, down, or backwards with exquisite control," the post said.

I am not the only one amazed and inspired by these flying jewels. 

A few quotes on the internet caught my attention. I thought I would share them. 

​Neither the hummingbird nor the flower wonders how beautiful it is. -- Unknown.

Hummingbird darts lightly through the world, spreading its message of joy and beauty, and teaching us to appreciate the wonder and magic of everyday existence. -- Unknown.

​"A flash of harmless lightning, A mist of rainbow dyes, the burnished sunbeams brightening from flower to flower he flies." – John Banister Tabb

However, these little breathtaking birds may soon be departing in mere weeks.
Venango County resident Edwards wrote in his book that the fancy flyers arrive in the area in mid-April but will depart for their wintering ground by early October.   

I have enjoyed their presence and will miss their aerial antics when they leave. I could truly just watch them for hours and when the time permitted, I did. 

So as their days in the area are numbered, those of you wanting something other than hummingbird posts will get something else to look at. Although I can't promise that there won't be any more hummingbird photos at least until the snow flies. For those of you, like me who can't get enough of the little wonders, below is a slide of yet more hummingbird photos. I think I may have taken a picture of every hummingbird that has visited this season.  That's just the nature of things 'round here.