Allen’s Hummingbird-Male

Copyright ©2016 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A friend and I went over the hill  yesterday to photograph Allen’s Hummingbirds.

“Over-the-Hill”, is how we long time locals say we’re going to Santa Cruz, CA.  We have to go up and over the Santa Cruz mountains to get there. They are mountains not hills, but I learned this phrase as a girl and use it to this day. You know how that is I’m sure. 🙂

Anyway, Allen’s Hummingbirds. They’re residents of Southern California, and northwestern Mexico, and migrate into southern Mexico for winter, and in breeding season migrate north along the coastal areas.  Luckily, they have found a lovely late Winter home in Santa Cruz where I’ve been able to view and photograph them for several years now.

Their colors are so different from the Anna’s Hummingbirds that I see year round.

Allen's Hummingbird Male

They’re also quite funny, and sometimes their expressions and posture make me laugh out loud. Like this move I call- On Guard!

On Guard!

It still makes me laugh!

They have the most beautiful Gorget that gleams a brilliant orange when the sun hits it just right.

Allen's Hummingbird Male

It’s always a joy to see them and spend a couple of hours in their company.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm| Lexar Professional Digital Film| PS CC 2015

More to come…

 

 

 

32 thoughts on “Allen’s Hummingbird-Male

  1. Beautiful :-). The bird and plant detail in the first photo is wonderful – it is so neat how the shape and colour of the plant resembles the shape and colour of the bird feathers (particularly the throat). On guard!!! 😀 Thanks for the laugh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Myriam! It is neat how animals in nature select plants and flowers that suit their colors, and shapes. It’s amazing actually.

      That posture was directed at me and my clicking shutter I’m sure. 🙂 It was funny though.

      Liked by 1 person

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