Hummingbirds

Broad-billed Hummingbird

This pretty hummingbird was photographed in Madera Canyon, in Southeast Arizona.

Broad-Billed Hummingbird ~ Published in December/January 2010 National Wildlife, magazine of the National Wildlife Federation; "The Hummingbirds of Winter."

Lady in Waiting

This Anna's Humminbird on its nest was photographed at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Southern California.

Blue-throated Hummingbird

This hummingbird is one of the largest--about 6 inches long. It was photographed in the Chiracahua Mountains in SE Arizona.

Blue-throated Hummingbird

This large, 6 inch long hummingbird was photographed in Cave Creek Canyon in Southeast Arizona.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

This bird was photographed in the Huschuca Mountains in southeast Arizona in August of 2014.

Broad-billed Hummer

Another view of this beautiful hummingbird.

Broad-billed Hummingbird

The most common hummingbird in summer in southeast Arizona is this colorful Broad-billed.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Back from a 9 day birding trip in southeast Arizona, where hummingbirds abound this time of year. This is a Black-chinned, showing his purple gorget.

Rufous Hummingbird ~ This male Rufous was guarding his feeder and fending off all other birds. He probably would have protected all the feeders, but fortunately couldn't see them all at the same time. Thus the Anna's, Costa's and Black-chinned Hummingbirds all got to eat. He was photographed in Oro Grande, California.

Rufous Hummingbird ~ This male Rufous was photographed near Oro Grande, California. They seem to be migrating through; there were about 6 or 8 zipping around the feeders.

Flying Rufous Hummingbird ~ Flying hummers aren't the easiert photo subjects. I was happy to get this one, hovering near a feeder. He was photographed at Oro Grande, California.

Hovering Rufous Hummingbird ~ This Rufous was hovering nearby "his" feeder, keeping an eye on other hummers coming near. He was so busy keeping other birds away, he hardly had time to eat! He was photographed at Oro Grande, California.

Costa's Hummingbird ~ This beautiful hummer was photographed in Oro Grande, California.

Anna's Hummingbird ~ This male Anna's was photographed on Thanksgiving at my son's house in San Diego. There are on-going territorial battles in the yard, over who rules the feeders. This bird was more cooperative than the others, about having his portrait done.

Open Wide ~ About 5 minutes before getting this shot, I was watching a documentary about hummingbirds. It showed how they open their mouths wide like this when catching small insects in flight. I said that I had never seen the bill open so wide; moments later, this is what I saw! This is a male Anna's Hummingbird.

Male Anna's ~ This hummingbird turned his back on me while I was trying to photograph him. Although he was hiding his beautiful pink gorget, I liked the green colors on his back.

Anna's Hummingbird ~ This photograph was taken in San Diego. This male hummer was aggressively defending a feeder, determined not to let the other birds have even a taste. This was one of his favorite twigs from which he guarded the feeder.

Broad-billed Hummingbird ~ This hummingbird was photographed in the garden at Ash Canyon, in the Huachuca Mountains in Southeast Arizona.

Broad-billed Hummingbird ~ This beautiful hummer was photographed in Madera Canyon, in the Santa Rita Mountains in southeastern Arizona. It was the most common hummingbird at the feeders in that area this last week.

Nesting Costa's Hummingbird ~ This mother-to-be sat on the nest patiently, despite my photographing her. I hope she has two little baby-hummers soon.

Broad-billed Hummingbird Perched on Top ~ Hummingbirds sometimes like to find a particular perch, and return to it often. They seem to be surveying their world or protecting their favorite feeders. This male Broad-billed is a beauty with all those irridescent feathers and the bright red bill.

Costa's Hummingbird Tending Her Nest ~ While sitting on her two eggs, she was arranging and rearranging the very fine hair and cobwebs that form her nest.

Female Costa's Hummingbird on Nest ~ This photo shows the very fine hair and cobwebs that make up her nest. She is sitting on two eggs, patiently waiting.

Broad-billed Hummingbird ~ I used a filter to alter the look of this image, providing more texture and richer colors.

Anna's Hummingbird

I saw several Anna's Hummingbirds while hiking in San Timoteo Canyon the other day. This one surprised me by sitting still for his portrait. Mostly he was facing away, but a few times he turned his head enough to light up his beautiful pink gorget. 2/13/19 Judith Sparhawk

Berylline Hummingbird

This very special hummingbird was photographed in the Chiricahua Mountains, out of Portal, Arizona. This species is a very rare visitor to SE Arizona, and when I was there I made a special trip to this location to see it. This was a life bird for me, that is, the first one I have seen in my life. I was lucky enough to see it on my first try, which made me very happy, as I only had one day there before heading back to Tucson to fly home. 9/12/19 Judith Sparhawk

Lucifer Hummingbird

This male Lucifer Hummingbird was photographed at Ash Canyon, Arizona. This species is fairly rare, and it is always a real treat to be lucky enough to see one. It is noted for its purple-pink gorget and his long, decurved bill. 9/6/19 Judith Sparhawk

Lucifer in Flight

This Lucifer Hummingbird was photographed at Ash Canyon, Arizona. I had been waiting and waiting for this fairly rare bird to appear. Yay!

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

This beautiful hummingbird was photographed at the Patton's Center in Patagonia, Arizona.