By: Sally Siko

Now that spring is here, flowers are beginning to bloom and thus our gardens are filled with the delightful thrum of the wingbeats of Ruby throated Hummingbirds searching for a sweet snack.
I was happy to see this tiny green feathered gem while birding last week in Holly Springs NC. Though it was tough to photograph this fleet little bird in action, I enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture a beautiful frame from a respectful distance.

As is the case with most species of hummingbirds, Ruby-throated’s dine primarily on nectar and small insects. They’ll occasionally supplement their diet with tree sap if nectar is not readily available nearby, an important dietary adjustment which is particularly helpful for the few that call south eastern NC home during the winter months.
A familiar backyard bird to many here in the Carolinas, Ruby’s are best found feeding on clusters of red or orange flowers such as coral honeysuckle, jewelweed, bee balm, red buckeye, trumpet creeper, and red morning glory.
Most of the time they’re spotted with wings buzzing while hovering at a flower but they’ll stop and land to drink nectar from a conveniently located perch at backyard feeders too.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are considered medium to long-distance migratory birds. They breed in the eastern United States and southern Canada, then fly south for winter to Central America and south of Mexico.
That being said, a small but growing population of Ruby’s are choosing to spend the cooler months in the Wilmington NC area.
But, that is a long time off as we have only just begun a new year of enjoying these tiny feathered dynamos.
Cheers to the season ahead!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds