Ruby Throated HummingbirdA juvenile male ruby-throated hummingbird

This juvenile ruby-throated hummingbird had a busy morning. This is my favorite time of year to photograph hummingbirds in my garden. The flowers are in full bloom and the hummingbirds are fattening up for their long flight across the Gulf of Mexico. I have flowers that bloom from Spring to the first frost so they attract hummingbirds throughout the year. However, late Summer to early Fall has the most competition for the flowers. 

This particular male has claimed an area around two blooming fire spike plants. It was busy protecting its territory from other hummingbirds so my presence was barely noticed. When it isn't so competitive, hummingbirds may fly to other flowers if they notice something different. My technique is to park my truck next to the flowers and use my truck as a blind. This has served me well, but on slow days they sometimes fly up to the truck, take a look inside and move to another set of flowers. 

Because it is so competitive this time of year, this young male would not leave the area. It had a specific spot it would perch so it could overlook the flowers and have a vantage point to see invading hummers. During other times of the year I would notice hummers would feed at the flowers but then fly off to a set of trees hundreds of yards away. This hummingbird couldn't afford that luxury so it had to remain on guard. As a result of feeding for the upcoming flight and spending energy to fend it's territory, I was able to get some nice shots of this bird in action.

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