The Days are Numbered

     I count down the days until the return of Ziggy and the rest of his family and offspring. I look forward to seeing just how many females will return to our neck of the woods for another nesting season. This far north you have to appreciate every single hummingbird day because their are less than 110. From the time the first one appears to the time the last one leaves is no more than 110 days. The cycle of mating, nesting, and raising the young is all completed in a very short time, so you can probably understand the excitement for us that have a very limited season. 
     I can hardly wait, but I can honestly say that it makes my day with every message or email that I receive from those that just got their first sighting of the year. It's a moment we all look forward to, and it's those times where we can all appreciate the simplest things in life. For those that are new to hummingbirding, I encourage you to spend the time in the garden planting flowers and hanging feeders. Learn what you can about these birds, and do what you can to attract them. It takes gardening to a level out of this world. 
     I chuckle every time I look at this photo. This lazy young Ruby-throat stretched out without having to use a calorie to get the Delphinium nectar, but what I find extremely cute are the racing spokes splayed out on its legs. 
Aug. 7, 2018. N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Juvenile Ruby-throat hummingbird.

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