Rufous Delight

I must admit I was a bit doubtful one evening last week when my sister hollered that there was a Rufous Hummingbird at the feeder, but a quick dive to the window confirmed her suspicions. It was indeed an immature male Rufous! I made another dive for the camera, but by the time I was back at the window it had left. I waited patiently and it soon appeared at our other feeder, where I was able to get some decent pics. Yes! A quality year-bird and only the second ever for my yard!

To be honest,  I couldn't confidently eliminate Allen's Hummingbird with these views, but with one previous state record what are the odds?

To my great surprise an adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird soon joined the Rufous. I have only had three or four Rubies at my feeder this fall so far, so this was a pleasant sight. It was also the first time I have ever had two species of hummers at once!

Andrew and Anthony soon showed up to see their third Reno Co hummer of the fall. (The third was Bryant and Andrew's Black-chinned a couple weeks ago). Luckily for them it was still sitting in the tree when they arrived. Surprisingly, the male Ruby right next to it didn't seem bothered by the Rufous casually sitting a few inches away. More typically, the adult male would have bullied the immature away from the feeder. Perhaps it was just too tired from a long flight. Who knows?

Joseph

Black-chinned Hummingbird

I had an interesting female Archilochus hummingbird start coming to my feeder about a week ago and since they are very tricky to identify, I asked hummingbird expert Sheri Williamson what she thought.  I was elated when she emailed back and said that it was a Black-chinned, since there are under twenty state records. (And nearly all of the other records have been from far western Kansas.)

Black-chinned Hummingbird (left)

Black-chinned Hummingbird.  Notice the "clubbed" look to the wing that separates it from the more common Ruby-throated.

Migration is finally starting to pick up again, and I am very ready for it!  I saw at least two, probably more, Alder Flycatchers near here the other morning.  I had never seen an Alder before this year, and now I have seen five!

Alder Flycatcher

Several weeks ago I saw this Oriole that definitely at least has some Bullock's influence.

Oriole

I have also managed to get a few butterfly pictures, although there haven't many around of late.

Delaware Skipper

Pearl Crescent

Southern Cloudywing

I'll finish with this Dickcissel picture.

Dickcissel

Andrew

Backyard Birds

Since today was one of the first sunny days after a couple weeks of rain (yes, rain in Kansas), I got out and photographed some of the common birds in my yard in the nice evening light.

I was a bit surprised when this Cedar Waxwing teed up nicely. They are becoming more common in the summer these years, last year I saw them in every month but July.

Oh no, he's looking at me!

This Barn Swallow posed nicely in front of the moon.

A pair or two of Blue Grosbeaks have been hanging around this year as well. This pair was hanging out with some Dickcissels in our (unfortunately) weedy field.

The male Blue Grosbeak

And the drab female

A female Orchard Oriole flew in briefly and allowed a few shots.

And lastly, the much despised European Starling, surprisingly good-looking if you actually take time to notice one.

Joseph

Yellowheads

When a flock of Yellow-headed Blackbirds descended on our farm yesterday, I was happy to spend some quality time watching and photographing them. These flocks are interesting in that they are completely segregated. This flock was made up entirely of males, but in a few weeks the males will be gone and the flocks will be composed only of females.

The males migrate first in order to stake out the best breeding territories before the females arrive.

What have we here?

 The windmill seemed to be the perch of choice.

The end 

Joseph Miller