Sugar Cube Power
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) and Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) my grabbed my full attention this week. At least four hummingbirds have taken up residence at Hogsback Acre and I've seen even more in my travels around the state. Our three nectar feeders are being used regularly, with a sub-adult male (born this season) vigorously defending this important food source. The males develop a patch of ruby-colored feathers on the throat (hence the species name). We've also seen a female with an unusual bill the appears to be damaged from an injury or malformed from birth.
Bathing in Waxwings
On the early morning of September 1st, I had the amazing experience of finding myself in the middle of a flock of 50-100 cedar waxwings at Bunker Preserve. Both adult and juvenile waxwings were catching insects in air at the edge of a wetland. As I remained motionless, the birds filled the air around me giving me the sense of "bathing in waxwings". Two additional waxwings briefly visited our large elderberry bush at Hogsback Acre while I was busy filming the hummingbirds.
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