Teeny

As ever, the tiny feet just kill me. And the tiny feathers around the eye, and the tiny wings, and and and...

First Bird of 2026

Supposedly, the first bird you see in the new year sets the tone for the year to come. I saw a hummingbird (not this particular one, but one on the feeder--very rainy day today). 

 Key Meanings of a New Year Hummingbird:

Hope & Renewal: Hummingbirds embody the spirit of new beginnings, bringing promise and a fresh start.

• Joy & Resilience: Their quick, energetic flight signifies bouncing back from tough times and finding delight in life.
• Good Fortune: Many cultures, including Native American traditions, view them as lucky messengers of good fortune and positive intent.
• Healing & Love: They can symbolize healing energy, bringing messages of love and bringing peace after difficulty.
• High Vibrations: Their rapid movement is seen as high kinetic energy, suggesting a year of operating at a higher frequency and achieving big dreams. 

I could certainly use some healing and good fortune in the new year!

Motion Study

 

Humming Along

This little Allen's hummingbird was enjoying that succulent flower. I love how you can see the pollen on its beak...

Incoming Hummer

 

Gorgeous Gorget

Now you see it...

...now you don't. 

Blink

 

I just happened to catch this hummingbird blinking...now you know what it looks like when a hummingbird blinks!

Tiny Feet

I mean...look at those teeny feet! 

Teeny-Tiny Perfection

 

Tongue Out Tuesday

 

If you look closely, you can see this teeny hummingbird's tongue sticking out...

Teeny Flying Jewel

 

Look closely to see its tongue sticking out in the pic below...

Stay tuned for more quality hummingbird content: I captured a whole series of one in/around the fountain. So cute!

Tiny Bather

 

Pointy #1, Pointy #2

This hummingbird looks like it is staring down that piece of wire...

Tiny Bather

 

Teeny

 

There are at least 3 hummingbirds who call our backyard theirs. For years we had Anna's hummingbirds (and I think there is one in the yard now), but the Allen's hummingbirds seem to be dominant. Check out the tongue being stuck out above!

That gold gorget (throat area)...

Here on full display as he scratches an itch. 

I could--and sometimes do, LOL--watch them all day!

Sitting in a Tree

 

Hello, little beauty!

Yay! Hooray!

 

After a period of almost 6 weeks with almost no birds in the fountain (frowny face), I saw all of these birds within about 20 minutes this afternoon. (Not helping matters: the fountain was unplugged/empty for several weeks to deal with a slow leak.)

Above, a yellow-rumpled warbler and female bluebird (!!!!) share the fountain. I have never ever seen bluebirds in our fountain, so I almost peed myself (LOL) with excitement.

The yellow-rumped warbler, so pretty.

Not a great photo, but you can really see the "yellow rump." And that female bluebird, so cute.

Here you can see her blue feathers.

And the male!!!! It's a rather crappy photo as I had to shoot through a glass door with a serious reflection; the computer has "enhanced" it--best I can do. 

Our friends the house finches, male and female.

A towhee, doing their funny kick kick kick in the mulch, stirring up tiny insects.

The Allen's hummingbird, perched in the pomegranate tree again...

And flying overhead, a flock of parrots. Hooray! Yay!

Humming Along

 

Such a pretty little Allen's hummingbird, perched in--and matching the colors of--the pomegranate tree.