Hummer Games and Travelers

The activity is off the charts, so my apologies for the length of this post; just LOTS of pics to edit and choose from! The Ruby-throats are still going after it at the feeders, and we are getting daily surprises with first-time sightings of travelers. Enjoy.

The Yellow Warbler has visited enough that I actually recognize him, but his brilliant yellow is always an eye-opener.

Setting the sprinkler seems to guarantee his presence, so I offer it as often as I can.

This is a young Nashville Warbler, first time visitor to our yard, and enjoying the

sprinkler as well.

 When I spied the Yellow Warbler and the Summer Tanager on the same morning, 

it was almost too much to handle!

Then the female Summer Tanager spent most of her morning trying to get close to the sprinkler, but an ugly House Sparrow would not have it.

Female Northern Cardinal.

And her mate, also enjoying the sprinkler.

Back at the office, the Lesser Goldfinches vie for their position on the sock feeder.

Always heard before seen, the Ladderback Woodpecker, male.

This female Ladderback lined up with a House finch for this photo op.

The Golden-fronted Woodpecker that was visiting the platform feeder

earlier has matured in his coloring.

A first time visitor to the office deck, a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I was 

watching for her mate, but never saw him.

Jan's zinnias continue to offer color to the yard and draw the hummers

and swallow-tail butterflies.

And the plumbago is also a draw.

This day the hummingbird looked strange. And it was strange, 

because it was a hummingbird moth.

 This female Ruby-throated hummingbird stationed herself close to the

feeder and enjoyed the show of her mate chasing everybody else away.

 There she is upper left while hubby is showin' his stuff.

 Many times they sit quietly for extended periods, not seeming to care who

comes to the feeder.

 But lately these males have been relentless in guarding the feeders.

Not putting on a show here.

 There are times when the throat is blinding!

 Comin' 'round!

 And once again!

 Nose dive.

 Rumba anyone?

When at a loss for words, just say 'Glory!'

 Hit the power switch!

 O.K., time to get back to work.

 Just one more shot!

O.K., just one more.

 We'll close with this first-time visitor to the yard. I knew when I spied that little black cap that I had an addition to my life list.

 This is a Wilson's Warbler, who summers in Canada and 

winters in Mexico and South America.

 He's got a few more miles to go, so we were happy to provide him 

and his mate B&B and a bath.

 There she is coming in from the left.

What a treat to get to enjoy these two at our place for a morning.

GLORY!