Hummingbirds on Long Island
I saw a hummingbird in the garden on Friday and then again on Saturday. Luckily, I had the camera handy and snapped a few pictures before it flew away.
From what I’ve read this is either a juvenile male or female ruby throated hummingbird. Ruby throated hummingbirds are the only kind we see here on Long Island, and at this time of year they are migrating south to Mexico.
Incredibly, to reach their final destination they fly right over the Gulf of Mexico, a trip that takes 18 to 20 hours of non-stop flight. By mid-September (now) there will be very few of these guys left on Long Island, so I must have seen one of the last to leave.
I shot these pictures in a panic (Quick, get the camera!) and was shooting through a window, hence the lack of clarity. Maybe, when it opens again next summer, I’ll visit the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary and take some better pictures.
What type of flowers do they like .That way I canplant them,Ilove birds ,and butter flies
Comment by nelcore — January 9, 2010 @ 2:33 pm
Go to http://www.rubythroat.org/PlantsNativeTopTen.html
It’s a great hummingbird resource.
Comment by Garrett Herth — May 1, 2010 @ 11:06 pm
Hello. Am I correct in saying that only the male hummer has a ruby throated neck and not the female as you say above? I see female hummers all the time and they are not ruby throated. But the male hummers I see much more. I have two feeders and they visit every day.
Comment by Florence Gajeski — June 10, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
That is correct, Florence. Maybe the males are not so busy with nesting and that’s why you see them more.
Comment by Bill — June 11, 2010 @ 6:20 am