Well, Nancy said we approached the corner, will turn it next week. We figured we saw 10 hummers and were able to catch 3; an adult female and 2 young males. I'm having camera trouble, or maybe it's been so long I forgot how to take a picture.






Joan Garvey - Metairie, LA Zone 9

Your pictures are lovely! I am going to guess picture #4 is the adult female

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

That's a good question, Sarah. I don't have an answer. Perhaps Nancy or Kevin can determine that. I believe the immature male and female both look like the adult female. Eventually the gorget feathers will come in. You can't see the back of the bird in picture #4 which could reveal buffy edges of an immature bird. Steve, Nancy's assistant who processes the birds examines their bill and can see corrugations present on a young bird that decrease as the bird gets older. I don't think corrugations can be seen in photos.

Beautiful pics Joan!!!

Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

Joan even though it has been a while you have done an outstanding job of preserving these little jewels with your camera. BTW what is the flower in the first and last picture? It is very pretty.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Good job Nan & Joan! You all are on your way to more wonderful expeditions - many more. Are you recording Joan or is photographing your main job or both?
And yes what is that pretty pink flower?


Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

Thanks y'all. I think the pink one is a Ruellia but I'm not sure. I don't have it in my yard. Carol, right now I'm playing with the camera, Tom is recording the data and Steve is banding the birds. We all take turns running the traps and I'm allowed to get them out the traps when caught. Of course, Steve and Tom can get them out too, I guess I jump up to do it because I like an opportunity to handle them.

Joan - ah yes that would be a thrill to experience...! You are having fun and learning so much!

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

Sarah, I think the bird in image #4 is an immature male though it isn't always easy to distinguish them. Females seldom have so many stipples.

I think the flowers are Mexican Petunias, in the genus Ruellia.

Joan, we let you get the birds out of the traps because you do it very well - and it appears that you like to do it. Works for me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

Great pictures Joan! Can't wait till the Juvies are out, all I have to do is bring thecamera outdoors and my Male RTH takes off like a shot! I tied hiding in the pool, peeking over the edge,
no go! And DH nearly had a heart attack, I would bring hos camera in the pool!

I was sitting on the chair the other night and two male swho continually fight came flying right at me. I thought I was going to be impaled! The last second they both flew up over my head!! Not so cool if their beaks were sticking out of my forehead!

Pam NJ 6B

Pam,
If you get impaled will you have DH take a shot for us ROFL as I think about you with a pair of hummers protruding from your forehead. Sorry about that....I am a very sick person and with the weather and growing conditions, etc. this year I have to find humor in whatever comes my way even sick humor.

Joan and Nan,
Thanks for the flower ID! I really like the pretty little cup shaped flower. I found the shape and the color very attractive.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Really nice photos Joan... nothing to complain about with those.

I looked up the Ruellia, and found this:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38183/

Sounds easy to grow, possibly invasive in certain situations.



LindaSkyview
Western NC mountains
Zone 6b - Sunset Zone 36 - Heat Zone 4,5,6

Thanks again, but I brought the camera in for servicing. I've been taking shots the last 2 days and am not satisfied. I did get a 5 year warranty on camera and lens because I didn't want to have any hassles if things went wrong. Time will tell...

Joan Garvey - Metairie, LA Zone 9