HMMMMM? - The female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have taken over the patio feeders. They guard the feeders from overlooking perches and chase any other Hummingbirds away. This time of year - it is a rodeo of female Hummingbirds buzzing each other from one patio to the other.

FLIGHT MOTION - A male Goldfinch leaves trails as he takes flight. Anyone old enough to have used film cameras knows about shutter speed and bird flight that exceeds it. My editor (wife) thinks tack sharp focus is over rated. ;-)

COULDN'T WAIT - I usually get the bird feeders out early in the morning and the birds in our yard have come to expect lots of black oil sunflower seeds be available early in the morning. This male Cardinal took to foraging on the ground when I was a little later than usual putting out the feeders. (We bring them in every night to keep the bears from getting them).

EYE ON THE SKY - A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird keeps an eye out for any other hummers coming near the sugar-water feeder. While male Hummingbirds are notoriously territorial during Spring breeding season, females frequently take over intense guarding behavior - especially later in the summer and during Fall migration when they need high energy storage to fuel their long migration.

SIGN OF THE SEASON - A male American Goldfinch beginning his late-Summer molt. All birds molt, many molt once a year and simply replace their old feathers with a similar looking set. Other birds, like Goldfinches, molt twice a year and change their appearance dramatically with the seasons. The male Goldfinch's bright yellow Summer plumage will be replaced by drab winter plumage.
