Humming Hummingbirds, None This Year

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:11:16 +0000

I guess I wasn’t the only one looking for them. Couple of weeks ago THE AURORAN, Week of July 26, 2011 published in the section Letters to the Editor, a letter from David Tomlinson ‘Had hummingbirds drop in on you lately?‘. This week David is asking for help again in his another letter to the editor, ‘Reader still looking for hummingbirds‘.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, Female, May 27-2010

The Aurora Wildlife and Naturalization Working Group over the last six years have been undertaking a survey of Aurora’s breeding bird population, as stated in THE AURORAN. The survey also includes hummingbirds, but seems like this year the Group is having issue finding them.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, Female, May 27-2010

Well I have the same issue. For the past five years hummingbirds have been visiting my garden. Our backyard and the neighbors backyards are filled with the trees and bushes that attract hummingbirds. I don’t have hummingbird feeder and I don’t know who does in the neighborhood. I have Red Horse Chestnut, Aseculus x carnea ‘Briotti’ as you can see on the photos. This is where she came. Yes, only she. Never seen two or more.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, Female, May 27-2010

This year I got a new camera and I was very eager to get more photos of them. The photos here are from last year’s unexpected photo shoot. They were coming everyday for the time of the blooming flowers, and May 27th was the best ‘light’ day for capturing these photos. Often, I spotted them sitting on the tree next to the Red Horse Chestnut tree. I hate to state, but this year the hummingbird photo shoot did not take place. Everyday at different times of the day I was looking for them. None.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, Female, May 27-2010

But wait this does not mean I have not seen them this year. In the early spring I spotted them in the Hamilton Park, a trail behind the soccer field along the hydro lines leading towards the St. Andrew’s golf course. That day I did not have my camera with me, but I have memories. I truly enjoyed the view of them hovering around the bush.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, Female, May 27-2010

I have been birding in Aurora since 2006, mainly taking photographs. In the past 5 years I have seen bird species shift from location to location. Every year I would come back to the same place and find something else instead. This may be due to the residential development or even the climate change.

I also noticed that in the Arboretum, a path which can be accessed from the Industrial Parkway/St. John’s sideroad, is always filled with Eastern Kingbirds, but this year definitely more of them. I had an opportunity to see few sitting on the wire fence, and not just one as per previous years. Not to mention flying over my head many times back and forth. The reason I mention the kingbirds here in the post, is that they have almost the same hovering ability as the hummingbirds. They often hover above the tall grass in the Arboretum.

And now, I shall do my part and call David Tomlinson about my observations.

Chain Reaction, How Wacky Is That?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 22:05:34 +0000

We have a little bunny on our backyard. I see him all the time. They grow so fast, so everyday I take some photos of him. Today I came out with my camera, and thought I will get clear picture and nice close up. Shooting through the windows is okay, but I have less flexibility.

The Bunny Rabbit

I quietly opened the sliding patio door, then the screen. I stepped two steps and then …

The rabbit ran away, literally jumped into the bush against the fence. Next, all I heard was loud chipmunk noise and then I saw him running out from the same bush. As he was running out, he created lot of bush movement that scared the American Robin who was enjoying himself on the fence post.

Zoom-Zoom Chipmunk

How wacky is that? Never mind what a coincidence – bunny ran into the chipmunk, and chipmunk scared the bird. I will leave what bird did to your imagination.

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Backyard

Humming Hummingbirds, None This Year

Chain Reaction, How Wacky Is That?