The hummingbird is tiny but very tough. Their wings usually flap about 80 times a second; their heart rate is about 1200 beats a minute. During migration from Central America and Mexico to the U.S., it flies hundreds of miles, including more than 400 miles over the Gulf Coast! During mating season, the hummingbird has been clocked at speeds over 50 m.p.h. when they dive-bomb their rivals.
These photos are of a female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird that discovered our fuchsia plants, unaware that a crazed bird photographer was lurking nearby.
The photo below is of a female (left) and male (right) House Finch perched on our feeder.
I noticed something on the female's right shoulder so I enlarged it.
(No Photoshop or other alterations by me)
