Hey hey hey! I'm back with another Chuparosa update. Soon the hummingbird season will be over. By mid October, most of our summer migrants will be gone. But before they do leave us, I thought I'd share with you the Blue Throated Hummingbird.
This hummingbird is a giant in the world of hummers. When I look at this particular bird, two thoughts come to my mind. One. The body is shaped in an awkward fashion. and Two. When we think of hummingbird flight patterns, this is the species we tradionally think of when a hummingbird flies. It definitely moves much more differently than its peers.
During this photo shoot search, I spotted this hummer in all canyons along the running streams of the Huachuca mountains. If there aren't streams nearby, you may have a difficult time spotting this particular hummer. Today's photos are from the CAS at Beatty's Orchards in Miller Canyon.
Lots of people will sometimes get excited at seeing a blue throated hummingbird and incorrectly label the juvenile male Broad Bill hummer as a Blue Throat Hummer.
But the markings are very clear and the bird is rather large compared to its counterparts. I spotted this bird during the last week of August. I had never been to the CAS at Miller Canyon so it was a real treat to sit there and watch the amazing numbers of hummers fly around us. There was a running stream nearby the hill as we climbed to the top and sat on the bleachers. Very cool.
It can be difficult picking out hummers at times with the flight frenzy that goes on, but this hummer is easy to pick out. But be careful not to confuse the Magnificent hummers with this guy. They are about the same size.
I love how this one curves to the side as it hovers. The shot below captures that movement as it backs away from the feeders.
This bird had been difficult for me to find. I knew it was definitely at Beatty's but I had old tires on my car that had to be replaced making it difficult for me to get to the top of the canyon on that rocky dirt road. Once they were replaced, it was the first place with went.
On this particular rainy day, we'd find them in Carr, Miller, and Ramsey. I have one more surprise for everyone and then a stat update with each hummingbird found featured. But on this particular day, a trek up Miller Canyon would also prove exciting thanks to a bird tip from a hiker. Hint. It has to do with the header of Las Aventuras. More tomorrow....
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