Ruby-throated hummingbirds - Garden Jewels
Can there be anything more perfect than a Ruby-throated hummingbird? Measuring less than 9 cm in length and weighing at the most 3 grams, everything about hummingbirds is tiny, but do not be fooled by their size. They move about their lives with absolute determined precision. Those delicate little wings beat on average 50 times a second (but up to 200) and enable them to zip about with extraordinary speed up and down and even backwards as well as hover in front of flowers to collect nectar.
The first time I saw a Ruby-throated hummingbird, zipping amongst our garden in summer 2005, I was immediately in love. The thought of ever managing to photograph one never crossed my mind until spring 2014 during which time I spent pretty much every waking hour trying to photograph them. After weeks of failures, I finally managed to gain their trust and with that capture a selection of images I am proud of. One particular hummingbird - Mr. Zippy - a little gem who has captured so many hearts, insisted on having his own website page.