On the Monkey Bars

     It seems like such a long time, but it was only 4 months ago. I got up as early as necessary to catch the young Rubies in full feeding force. Many young were still in play mode and frolicked among the flowers. One location among the garden contained a dense amount Delphiniums and a few Himalayan Balsam that were in full bloom. I slowly walked the trail as many ballistic little bullets roasted back and forth around me as though I didn't exist. Slow movements would sometimes grab their attention but then it was back to chase and feeding as normal. Once I arrived at my seating area it didn't take long before they danced in the flowers around me. Most flowers provided their typical feeding, but the Himalayan Balsam proved to be somewhat of a challenge for hummingbirds. To reach the location of the nectar they often times grab on with their little talons and swing around as though on the Monkey Bars. This young Ruby was enticed enough to swing from flower to flower, often times hanging upside down while it would try to reach the nectar. For about an hour I managed many good quality photos and video before the feeding slowed. Upon close examination, I noticed many tiny slits and slices through the flower petals. It appeared as though this kind of Monkey Bar feeding had been going on for a while already as many flowers were nearly shredded apart. When I took a close look at this image, I noticed the little razor like talon pierced through and gripping the flower, and then upon closer examination of many images it was determined the little Rubies were my flower shredders. 
     Juvenile Ruby Throated hummingbird. N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. August 2017.

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