Hummingbirds through the Window

Posted on January 14, 2024 by

19 Comments

Due to the cold snap this week, I decided to add additional feeders for the hummingbirds, and that included a new location, the maple tree in front of the house.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before; they love perching in the tree before dropping down to feed. And since they’re much closer, it’s easier to snap a photo through the window, I don’t have to leave the house. (A plus when it’s 18 degrees.)

I took the first two pictures below from my living room. Same bird seconds apart, but notice the color of his head and throat changes from black to red – or is it purple?

I took the next set of pictures from my office above, and the reddish-purple color of the male was still visible, but nothing compared to what followed.

Same bird, but with a twist and turn of the head, his crown changed to iridescent fuchsia!

How does he do that??

Would you like to change your hair color with a flick of your head?

He’s not telling but to me it’s purely magical.

Sharing for this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge, #Looking at Life through a Window.

~ Susanne

Category: Birds, NatureTags: , , , , , ,

19 Comments on “Hummingbirds through the Window”

  1. Wow, such impressive shots through your window of the colorful little hummers, Susanne! I found they liked to perch in our trees then go for the feeders at our place in summer. They are lucky to have you feeding them and I’m amazed they haven’t gone into torpor with those cold temps. Enjoy the show!

    • Thanks, Terri! 🙂 I’ve been happy to keep these little beauties well-fed during these freezing temps. It looks like it will be warming up a little bit this week, so we seemed to have survived the worst of it! But I’ll definitely leave the new feeder in front, turned out to be a great location for both of us!

  4. Wow! Those are wonderful photos!! I really would like to be able to do that – change color and hover in the air!!

  5. One of the joys of hummingbirds is how their color changes depending on the light and the angle. These are super shots and I’m sure the birds appreciate your keeping the feeders filled and unfrozen.

    • Thank you! The color never ceases to amaze me as it comes and goes in an instant! The new location is great for capturing them, especially from my office where I spend a lot of time.

  7. That was so intriguing, I had to look it up!
    ‘Experts have explained that hummingbirds’ rainbow colours come from pancake-shaped structures in their feathers. As the bird turns its head in different directions, the special shape of their pigment-containing structures enables them to reflect a rainbow of light.’
    Wonderful photos, Susanne.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    • Thanks so much, Pete! It’s truly a marvel of nature and I never get tired of watching them in all of their glorious colors!

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