Friday, April 20, 2018

The Hummingbirds of Vancouver Island

     On a recent trip to Vancouver Island we had many sightings of the two species of hummingbird regularly seen there.
   
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)



     In recent years this hardy little bird has taken up permanent residence on Vancouver Island and may be found even during snowy conditions in winter. There is a wide variety of native vegetation on which it feeds and it is further helped by the increased use of sugar water feeders by bird-friendly people.


     There are many incidences of people providing food in sheltered areas around their property and even installing heat lamps to keep water from freezing and providing heated bird baths. And of course the bird enters torpor at night when it needs to conserve energy.






     There were many occasions to observe this bird and Franc was always ready to swing into action with his camera to obtain these memorable shots.

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

     


     This species is strictly migratory, travelling as far north as Alaska to breed, and we believe it had just arrived on Vancouver Island coinciding with our visit. 


     The male is pugnacious in defence of his territory and we had ample opportunity to witness his fearless chase of species trespassing in the area he claimed as his own.





     The male above perched for an extended period and obligingly turned several times to allow the light to highlight his brilliant gorget.
     In the following picture a female seemed to be probing in a hole in the bark of a giant coastal cedar for insects, or perhaps sap that might have been oozing out.


     Our encounters with hummingbirds were daily highlights of our trip. And now we are looking forward to the return of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) to Ontario. We can hardly wait!

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

43 comments:

  1. Hi David - we had hummingbirds - over winter ... they fed off the winter jasmine ... they are quite delightful to see - and so can understand your anticipation about their arrival - cheers ... and thanks for these delightful photos - Franc has done you proud - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my. These are truly gorgeous birds. My heart would have been beating overtime. Thank you and Franc so much for showing us these pint-sized charmers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't remember whether I left a comment - or just thought I did. Hummingbirds fall firmly into the feathered enchantment category for me. I would love to see them. Thank you and Franc so much.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vilka fantastiska bilder på den lilla kolibrin! Själv har jag förstås aldrig sett denna förtjusande fågel i verkligheten.

    Gott att läsa att godhjärtade människor hjälper fågeln med mat och vatten när tiderna är bistra. Alltför ofta får man läsa om mänsklig likgiltighet eller ännu värre, om hänsynslöshet och skadegörelse i naturen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. They are rather pretty and lovely to see. Photos are good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi David.

    Wonderful these Hummingbirds.
    So beautiful in color.
    How good that you could see this.
    You have been able to take beautiful photos.

    Groettie from Patricia.

    ReplyDelete
  7. As you undoubtedly know we have no hummingbirds here in the UK and until recently I'd always thought of them as tropical birds but reading blogs put me right on that one. I am of course very jealous of anyone who sees them regularly.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It was a joy to visit and see those beautiful photos, Franc must have some patience to capture such amazing shots.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello David!
    Great captures of the Hummingbirds!
    Such beautiful birds! Enjoy your weekend!
    Happy birdwatching!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful hummers, you caught them in a perfect light.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stunning images - so lovely to see as we don't get Hummingbirds over here!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello, gorgeous collection of hummingbirds. They are all beautiful photos. I am waiting to see my FOY hummer. Enjoy your day and weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hari OM
    It is impossble not to be captivated when in the presence of hummingbirds... YAM xx
    (ps; I 'kindled' the gull book and already my knowledge of my 'locals' has improved threefold!)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Franc's photos are simply stunning and so detailed. They often move too fast for me to catch one well or even see these remarkable colors. And thanks for the excellent narrative -- I always learn something.

    Thanks, too, for stopping by Marmelade Gypsy! I always appreciate your visits and comments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First of all, Jeanie, Franc has the equipment to do it, but he is incredibly fast at getting on the bird and then fires away and these are the results!

      Delete
  15. Excellent photos. The Ruby throat is all we get as a rule in SC this past winter a Rufous wintered in a yard about ,30 miles away so we may start seeing more in years to come.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful shots of the hummingbirds. I hung a feeder, but have yet to lure any in. I'm hopeful though.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello David,

    I really envy you those beautiful shots. I wish the hummingbird was here too. They are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pretty pictures and birds ..Happy weekend

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful hummingbirds. The photos are totally amazing, such beauty is seen in these wee creatures. It's a pleasure to see them up close, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. These birds are wonderful, it's a pity they are not here. Pictures wonderful, I had something to admire. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I loved the humming birds when we were in Nevis, I was toatally fascinated. Wish we had them here, Great photos as always. Have a good Sunday Diane

    ReplyDelete
  22. wonderful portraits and sightings.
    how wonderful that the humans are so good to them. Now they must never stop their winter care.

    We have more birds here daily. I am enjoying them so much.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi David,
    special images of these very special birds! I especially love picture nr. 1 and 5.
    Thank you for showing us. Must have been marvellous to look around there at Vancouver Island.

    Best regards, Corrie

    ReplyDelete
  24. These are little Gems,wonderful images,love the movement in flight.
    Superb photography.
    John.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi David,
    What beautiful birds, marvellous what a bit of feeding will do.
    Super images by Franc.
    All the best, John

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anna's HB were the first I ever saw - in a car park in Scottsdale, Arizona! It would be reasonable to say I got rather excited!

    Sorry its taken me so long to visit, things have been pretty hectic here!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a magnificent capture of that hummingbird in action! I didn't realise they were so colourful around the neck.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh how I wish we had hummers in UK. They are like jewels with wings! My congratulations to Franc for the imaages.

    I'm astounded to hear that, with human assistance, some have given up migration, and survive. I'm not sure whether this is a good or bad thing. It's certainly interesting, however!

    With love to you and Miriam - - - Richard

    ReplyDelete
  29. They are such colourful birds ...

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great photos! I really want to see and take photo of a hummingbird. They are very beautiful, but unforunetely, there aren't them in Poland :(

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi David,
    I didn't know that little hummingbird lived so high up in the north. He is very nice, superb colours and very great images of Franc. Thank's
    Bye and take you care :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Olá David!
    Maravilhosas fotos e que graciosa ave. Iniciei-me este mês na fotografia específica de aves que irei partilhar também lá no afectos e dúvidas.

    Boa semana e boas inspirações fotográficas!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi David - we've had Anna's Hummingbird through the winter here in Cobble Hill area - feeding on the yellow jasmine ... while we've just seen the Rufous Hummingbird appear here ... in a bush I must find the name of ... it's a New Zealand one ... the flowers have been much loved and enjoyed - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ....... awesome !!!!!
    This beautiful little bird has been on my wish list for a long time, but I know that I will never see it in real life. Truly stunning photos David.
    My compliments.
    A kiss xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will have to come to Canada, Helma and I will show you a hummingbird - and many other beautiful birds as well. David xo

      Delete
  35. WOW! So beautiful and colorful birds. Awesome photos David!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hello David, indeed these birds are just as stunning as the Sunbirds I saw. But the variety is much bigger at you side of the globe.
    Regards,
    Roos

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a wonderful collection! They were so good to sit for you!

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a wonderful species of hummingbirds, the color they have is amazing. I was fascinated by the sixth photo.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Exceptional photography of these tiny “hummers” . . .

    ReplyDelete

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

Followers