July in Prescott saw over six inches of summer monsoon rainfall - a much needed relief from June's brutally hot and dry conditions. This weather phenomena repeats like clockwork and heralds not only a burst of colorful wildflowers and seasonal creeks but the reappearance of the rufous hummingbird.
This bird passes through the Mountain States after breeding in the Pacific Northwest in the very early summer. By late July many of the feeders in the Prescott area are dominated by the copper colored visitors, having pushed out most of the resident Anna's hummingbirds during their stays. But by the end of the summer, most of the interlopers have moved on to their winter residences in Mexico and Latin America.
Like all migratory birds, they're extremely wary and distrusting of mankind. And like all hummingbirds, they're fiercely territorial, not even sharing an area with members of their own species. With patience and luck, I was able to get several shots of the male rufous that seems to be in charge of my home's feeder - at least for this week!
This bird passes through the Mountain States after breeding in the Pacific Northwest in the very early summer. By late July many of the feeders in the Prescott area are dominated by the copper colored visitors, having pushed out most of the resident Anna's hummingbirds during their stays. But by the end of the summer, most of the interlopers have moved on to their winter residences in Mexico and Latin America.
Like all migratory birds, they're extremely wary and distrusting of mankind. And like all hummingbirds, they're fiercely territorial, not even sharing an area with members of their own species. With patience and luck, I was able to get several shots of the male rufous that seems to be in charge of my home's feeder - at least for this week!
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott, flashing his red gorget. |
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott. |
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott. |
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott at a feeder. |
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott about to chase away a juvenile rufous. |
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott. |
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| Male rufous hummingbird in Prescott. |
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