hummingbirds

Traditionally associated by Coast Salish people with healing and happiness. Not hard to see why, although seeing them as anything other than a tiny helicopter blur can be quite a challenge. I sat outside by the feeder for a looooong time to get these pics. Now they are so used to me that the feisty males will hover in front of my face if I get too close, defending their precious nectar source in the kind of David and Goliath show of bravery you have to admire.

These are Rufous Hummingbirds; the greenish one is the female. The male has a spectacular patch of glistening ruby-orange feathers on his throat but I wasn't able to get him in the right light for them to show up.