I have intentionally avoided searching for specific birds (as a hobby demand) because I don’t have the time or I don’t live in an area where they are abundant (such as shoreline fowl). But occasionally some species pops into my life and that forces the issue. One such flier showed up last Friday.
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This is a post where you can come to share what’s on your mind and stay for the conversation (and often music offered). The diarist is on independent time (a schedule of their own) and gets to take a nap when he or she needs (or may wander off and show up later).
Just to let you know, it’s a feature, not a bug.
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The photo below is not a clear shot, but the best of several I took. I was hunting for dragonfly when this Hummingbird landed on the power lines over my head. I clicked off as many shots as I could to identify it later.
Unknown species; until I got home and studied.
I am familiar with the two main species found in my area. Those being the Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbirds. I have photos of both and Hay seed (my work partner) took a wonderful video two years ago. Here it is. My work pales in comparison to his.
But the creature above me Friday had me stumped. I eventually found it as “an occasional visitor” listed by the Mississippi Fish and Game Department. There is no reason for it being here but too many sightings has confirmed it as “available but unusual migrant” for our area.
shot two, markings around eye, tip of tail feathers (length and number)
shot three, color attempt
Here is a representative of the species I captured on film (shown by the Cornell University site, photo by Mike Stewart of Texas 2018). I present the Black-chinned Hummingbird.
Black-chinned Hummingbird — photo by Mike Stewart, Texas 2018
So keep an eye out for the unusual. Things may surprise you and be where you least expect to look.