Big Bird, Little Bird: Little Man Of The Year

My first male ruby-throated hummingbird has arrived. He's a chubby little fellow so his trip from the south must have been a rewarding one.

I was out back to pick a rose and I heard chattering. It took a moment for my aging brain to remember the sound, but when I did, I hurried inside and made some fresh sugar water--quick. I also brought in and cleaned the feeder that was outside with old sugar water in it.

I hung the fresh sugar water and went up to the deck to watch. Then I noticed where the chattering had been coming from. I have about 25 weigela, wine & roses, around the house and they are all in bloom. The ruby-throats love them. Last year, the male wooed the females in them. The females would sit in them and watch the male making his "U" (large U-shaped patterns) above her. Apparently, it worked for him because there were young at the feeder later in the Summer.

Anyway, here is this year's male. It was a little dark when I heard him so the images are a bit dull. After I looked at the images, I noticed that the blooming weigela was just behind the feeder. By looking at the flowers, you can see why the hummingbirds find them a blessing in early Spring. Along with the feeder and plenty of bugs.