The Top 40

"...specific angle..."

There it is, the secret to the colors. I've seen it myself. The females around here typically appear to be silver/gray but many times they appear bright green. I call them greenbacks because it's when they are leaving that they achieve that "specific angle" and the green coloration takes over.

I call the males rednecks but their necks really are red all the time, and their heads are black. And the rest of their body is silver/gray like the females but they never appear green for some reason.

You need the patience of Job to be a wildlife photographer. Paid off in this case,spectacular shot. Bet the insects in Costa Rica are the size of that bird,too.

I've been tainted by technology Nori. When I see such things I also wonder how much is real and how much is Photoshop. There is no way to know any more I supposed now that Pandora has been released. But mostly I just enjoy what I see in person. Reality is so much better.

To the best of my knowledge, scientists tell us that birds cannot see colors (no cones in their eyes or some such). Common sense makes me want to call BS, then I remember I'm unqualified to an opinion, so I think birds see shades of grey that we can't dream of.

dunno why that was double posted, sorry

There is a wonderful TV special on hummingbirds that has played this month. Can't recall the name of it but it's well worth finding and watching.

My wife and I entertain (feed) a dozen or so hb in the Fall and the birds have no problem at all eating bugs and drinking home made hb brew within a few short feet of us. They become so accustomed to us that they'll fly in and hover 2 feet or so from our Adirondacks, look us over and head back to a favorite perch.

Male birds are generally more colorful and have exotic means of attracting mates, so I find the idea that they can't see colors puzzling.

Beautiful photo, I use Photoshop regularly, the colors have been brighten a touch by sharpening but otherwise, that's real. I've been photographing birds and wildlife for close to 50 years.

That is the Ruby throated Hummingbird, the only one found east of the Mississippi; all other species are western and southwestern.