Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Bad Boys of the Rockies Arrived Today

Pinon Rock seems to be a natural stopping point for humming birds. Since May the Broad Tails have been in residence, but today the Rufous' arrived... in a big way.

After our morning 5 mile trek to Delila Peak, Marlys saw 1 Rufus at a feeder. By the end of the day there are now a couple of squadrons in residence, doing their dog fighting over who will control the feeders.

Their copper color with a hot pink throat, on the males, is pretty spectacular.

The Broad Tails are attempting to hold the fort, and even though they have a size advantage, the overall numbers of the Rufus' I think will take the day.

The Rufous are very feisty as they swarm.

This is a week or two early as they normally arrive late July.

The hummingbirds have been a little off this year, we believe because the wild flower crop is not as abundant as last year.

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