Rufous Fuss.


My three grandchildren (Jammin, Buttercup, and Caboose) had a visitor during dinner on Friday night.

This little female hummingbird invited herself into the sun porch and got trapped.

Luckily, her frantic buzzing at the window caught my attention and I was able to walk out there and snatch her. I felt so sorry for her when my hands closed in - she chirped so fearfully.

Jammin used my camera to snap this photo before we released her.

My guess is that this is a juvenile Rufous. I need a more seasoned birder to confirm that.

(My hands are very small -- so you can imagine how tiny she was.)

Comments

LadyStyx said…
According to this site: http://hummingbirdworld.com/h/17.htm

it looks like it could be a female Anna's. Hard to tell for sure. I'll have to pop in once one of the experienced birders have a chance to chime in.
8:54 PM, August 22, 2009
cherie said…
oh, birdie! love that shot, ms. pam! btw, please go grab the Cupcake Award from my site - i just gave you one!
1:55 AM, August 23, 2009
DesLily said…
omg! poor baby I hope it did ok after you let it loose!! I love hummers, always have..
2:56 AM, August 23, 2009
Shelby said…
unbelievable! those little tiny birds are so exquisite.
5:09 AM, August 23, 2009
nikki said…
Great picture. The hummingbirds at my dad's place got so used to him being out there and refilling the feeder that one of them used to sit on his head! I wished I thought of taking a picture.
5:20 AM, August 23, 2009
Jenni said…
I'm glad you were able to catch her and set her free again outdoors.
5:31 AM, August 23, 2009
Janis said…
This is the third post this week about hummingbirds. I did a photo of a ruby throated feeding. Swampy did one of 13 or more feeding and now yours. They are amazing little critters, I love watching them zip around. So glad you were able to free this little one, great photo.
7:05 AM, August 23, 2009
Peter said…
The hands may be small Pamela, but they must be mighty fast to grab that little visitor from the air.
7:13 AM, August 23, 2009
darkfoam said…
to catch a hummingbird ...
wow!
10:13 AM, August 23, 2009
ChrisB said…
Poor little thing so glad you were able to rescue it.
12:10 PM, August 23, 2009
grammy said…
I don't think many people have a chance to hold a humming bird in their hands. That is so amazing.
hey, my word verification is 'pines' (o:
9:15 PM, August 23, 2009
heather said…
When I first saw the pic, I thought you were holding a needle.
8:30 AM, August 24, 2009
Coffeypot said…
Spit it out..spit it out now, dammit. That is my necture and you can't have it.
12:29 PM, August 24, 2009
Unknown said…
How exciting for all of you but terrifying for her. We had one get trapped in our sun room a few years ago and she was panted so much once we caught and released her that she just sat there for a while. :)
7:29 AM, August 25, 2009
willowtree said…
I don't know about needing an expert birder, but you definitely need to take Jammin with you on your photo expeditions, he's way better than you!
11:08 PM, August 25, 2009
Jeanette said…
Gday Pamela.
It looks so tiny in the hand of an expert catcher...
12:11 AM, August 26, 2009
Gattina said…
What a tiny little bird ! I only realize now how small they are when I see this little head !
12:32 AM, August 26, 2009
Betty said…
I love humming birds. Lucky you to be able to get a real close up look at one.

Pamela, thank you for your prayers for my husband. I wanted to let you know I have posted an update on my blog.
8:39 PM, August 26, 2009
Kila said…
Wow! Cool photo.

I captured a photo just for you while on our Wisconsin Dells vacation, and it happens to be of a tiny, baby hummingbird! We thought it was a large bee at first! I'll have to post it tomorrow for you.
9:53 PM, August 26, 2009
Merle said…
Dear Pamela ~~ I am glad the speech
impediment didn't really do you in!!
Dear tiny little bird, I hope he survived.. I tried to leave a comment here yesterday but it wouldn't post it. Hope this one gets to you. Love, Merle.
10:06 PM, August 26, 2009
Far Side of Fifty said…
What a cool experience! I am so glad you saved him or her! :)
7:18 PM, August 27, 2009
Mama Voss said…
What a great grandma... not only staying with the grandkids, but saving the bird. I'm impressed!!!
11:57 AM, August 29, 2009
Intense Guy said…
Wow. You have quick hands! The local baseball team could use you at second base.

I'm glad you let little Rufous free. I'm sure she was too.
7:46 AM, September 02, 2009
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