Our First Resident Hummingbird

One of the most exciting aspects of living in Arizona is the number of bird species one can see, especially hummingbirds. It is possible to see at least 15 hummingbird species in Arizona. Of that number, I have seen about half, that latest of which was the Plain-capped Starthroat. More about that experience in another blog, for now I want to tell you about our first resident hummer!
I waited until this past Tuesday to put out my first hummingbird feeders. It has been very hot in the desert, and I was understandably busy getting a bit settled in our new home. Now that the cool (well, that's a relative term) fall weather has arrived, I felt it was the appropriate time to put out a couple of window feeders. It wasn't long before the little fellow pictured above arrived and claimed our feeders as his own! As near as I can tell, he is an immature Anna's hummingbird. I surmise that time will confirm my initial identification.
He has taken up residence in the Mesquite right outside our bedroom window. He voraciously defends the feeder pictured below as well as one about 15 feet west along the back wall of our house. It is hilarious to watch him defending both feeders from potential intruders! The acrobatics he displays in his defense flights are enough to make one dizzy!!
I am hoping you are intrigued enough by this blog and the photographs (though they would never win any contests) that accompany it to pay us a visit. Some of these beautiful "flying jewels" are 12 month residents of Arizona. The summer temps find many of them in the higher elevations, and others migrate south for the winter. Just let me know when you are coming, and I will look forward to introducing you to our little fellow, who I expect will be here all winter, as well as the many other birds that live around us.