The most interesting and frequent visitors to our backyard feeders and flowers in the summer are hummers – two very different kinds of hummers.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I’ve been negligent in landscaping for hummingbirds so most of my observations and photos center on a sugar-water feeder and adjacent perches.
Diurnal moths. Phlox is one garden flower that thrives despite my neglect. It reaches full bloom in August and another “hummer” visits almost immediately: the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. They buzz around like miniature hummingbirds, feeding on dozens of flowers in the time it takes to lock in on one. Mid to late afternoon is prime time.
Touch-me-not (Jewelweed), a native wild flower, is now in bloom. It’s sought after and guarded by hummingbirds and, with a lot of luck, might lead to a followup post on hummers!
Photos by NB Hunter (July and August, 2020). © All rights reserved.
Nick's Nature Pics 
Stunning!
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Thanks Mj. Several weeks in the making. Time to move on to bigger, slower moving targets (the farm!).
You photographed a male Hummingbird in some of your shots. This year I haven’t seen a male one yet. They are all females around here, I wonder why.
Interesting. A male is apt to appear at our feeder every evening just before dark, perch on a branch, and chase others away. But, years ago, I visited a friend in the mountains of northern PA in August and enjoyed watching swarms of 30+ hummingbirds at his feeders. We decided they were female and immature birds, perhaps on the move, because I was hard-pressed to find a male in the bunch. I have much to learn about these little wonders!
What a sight for sore eyes, getting tired of the drabness of winter! All of them are beautiful and so interesting to see.
Amazing photos Nick! We don’t have the Ruby Throated out West. They are beautiful. All of these photos are so wonderful. Loved looking at them. 🙂
Great photos….I think the hummer’s at the feeder may be seeing their reflection in the feeder glass. Perhaps a photo of reflection is possible? Moving on: I particularly liked the color of flowers and clear wings…. Color and action on hot summer day! Nothing is better…
I have never seen any of those moths in Missouri. Are they common to the Northeast only? Fascinating and beautiful.
Winged wonders, indeed. The translucency of the moth’s wings is particularly enthralling.