Seward, Alaska
In the dusk around 5 pm on Tuesday, October 21, I spotted the distinctive silhouette of the elusive ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD quietly perching on a bare branch of an aspen tree near the feeder. I did not see it feed.
On Wednesday, it rained so hard during a big storm, I needed windshield wipers on my kitchen window. I leaped up, camera in hand when the hummer zoomed in to the feeder around 9:30 am.
Though the light was dim and the rain ran in rivulets down the window, I snapped a photo though the glass as he turned and flashed his scattered magenta speckles. The minimal spangles lead me to think he is an immature male. I wonder if youngsters are extending their range from BC, or if he was a born and raised Alaskan?
I did not see him on Thursday, but after another dreary, dim, rainy morning, the sun peeked out around noon and the hummer returned. He seemed a bit jumpy, flitting up then back, maybe wary of the Nuthatches and Chickadees zipping in and out of the big-bird exclosure. But he soon settled back down to rest on the handy feeder perch while he sipped the cold sugar solution.
He's a toughie! As the word spread, other neighbors were considering putting up their hummingbird feeders too. Spread the joy! Nothing like the sight of a tiny hummingbird to cheer one up on these otherwise gloomy days.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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