good ruby year

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

From the heaviest bird routinely found in my area (see yesterday's post) to the lightest...

I have had several phone calls and e-mails this year about ruby-throated hummingbirds. Apparently, it's been a good year for them. Large flocks—called charms, isn't that wonderful?—are appearing in backyards on their migration to their winter range in Central and South America. It's a long way to fly if you only weigh three grams.
 

Beautiful, dynamic, Lilliputian creatures.
 

I especially like the e-mails that come with pictures. These two were taken by Tiffiny Hamlin, who has sent me photos before. 

Thanks, Tiffiny!

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