Who's the Greatest of Them All?

     For two months Ziggy has had the run of the garden.  Every feeder and flower has been available at any given time, but the vacation is just about over.  Each day other hummingbirds  will become aware of the garden only heard of, where the flowers are endless and the nectar never runs out.  It's a garden that hummingbirds dream of, but are limited by the heightened security. With its offerings so abundant, the temptation is too much to overcome.  Hummingbirds from all over the region will soon make their way to Ziggy's garden and overwhelm him with their excitement. The numbers of intruders will soon plan an unorganized attack as they arrive from all directions.  Males, females and the annoying young will get on his very last nerve. He will no longer be able to defend all corners of his garden, but will retreat to his favorite feeder and closely guard it. 
     This is the continental event soon to take over many gardens worthy of the hummingbirds. The dominant male will soon realize there is too much to defend.  He will realize that he is expending far too much energy in chase, and will need to conserve the energy for the migration soon to follow. 
     With little time left to relax, Ziggy, our Male Ruby-throat hummingbird, is taking advantage of the remaining time before the young, other males, and females start to arrive in the garden. Ziggy is soaking up a little "Me Time", as if he doesn't have enough of that already, just before the wave of hummingbirds begins. As vain little Ziggy stares into the water and sees his reflection, he asks himself, "who's the greatest of them all...well, that would be me of course"! 
N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. July 13, 2019. Adult Male Ruby-throat hummingbird

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