They’re gone now, the families of ruby-throated hummingbirds who spent the summer with us. The males, with their natty bright red waistcoats, flew south at the beginning of September, leaving behind the females and young. I was puzzled, at first, to see no young males among the crowd that continued to zip from flower to flower in the sun garden and dive bomb our feeders. But it turns out that the young males “masquerade” as females until their first winter in the tropics where they start to don their distinctive red plumage. It’s amazing to think that these birds — 3” high, weighing in at around 11 
ounces — are en route to Central America, many flying 28 hours straight across the Gulf of Mexico. Amazing, too, to know that these same families will return next year, again across continents and seas, to the very hemlocks above the little white farmhouse in the Berkshires where they fledged. It’s their birth place and summer home and, some time toward the end of next April, we’ll hear a whir of wings overhead and know they’re back. Few things in life, it seems to me, are as predictable 
and heartwarming.
These lovely photos were taken by my brother Anders right after the males departed.
And here’s a poem by the American poet and critic Robin Becker which, I think, perfectly captures the bird’s almost otherworldly beauty.
Hummingbird
Robin Becker
I love the whir of the creature come
to visit the pink
flowers in the hanging basket as she does
most August mornings, hours away
from starvation to store
enough energy to survive overnight.
The Aztecs saw the refraction
of incident light on wings
as resurrection of fallen warriors.
In autumn, when daylight decreases
they double their body weight to survive
the flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
On next-to-nothing my mother
flew for 85 years; after her death
she hovered, a bird of bones and air.
Chris and I watch hummingbirds all summer, just north of you in the Adirondacks. It’s one of the many miracles of mountain life.
Thanks, Carol. They are little miracles, aren’t they?
Thank you for this!
So nice to hear from you again, Cheryl!
Wonderful photos!
Thanks, Patty.
Your brother is an amazing photographer, and the birds are amazing creatures. And the poem is right up there with them.
Thanks, Susan. I love that poem, too.
Love it! Thanks. Beautiful photos!
So glad you liked it, Lorraine!
Beautiful Liza, love sitting on your porch and watching these amazing creatures! Have fun on your trip. Hi to Bill.
Thanks, Max!
I love that you paid such close attention and discovered this about the males. Funy to learn such distinctions between the sexes. Also that such small creatures have that much endurance. Lovely photo too.
We’re lucky to have such a talented avian photographer in the family. I’ve tried for years, but all my photos of hummingbirds end up being blurs!
Great piece. Great pix! Thanks!
Glad you liked it, Phyllis!