Tiny Flyer

Well, don't say you weren't warned.  I have every intention of blipping as many hummingbirds as I can before they are all gone for the season.  And, since the zinnias in my garden seem to be their current favorite nectar snack, you'll probably be seeing more hummie/zinnia photos.  

I'm tagging this for the Tiny Tuesday Challenge even though it's a bit of a stretch from a photographic standpoint.  I didn't take this with a macro lens, but with my Tamron 200-500 zoom.  However, hummingbirds certainly qualify as "tiny" being no bigger than an average female human thumb.  While I was standing next to the milkweed taking this shot, one flew up right next to me and I was reminded yet again of how incredibly small and fragile they are.  How on earth can they migrate all the way to Mexico/Central America...without a GPS?

Today was blisteringly hot again so I wilted pretty fast on my walk.  Not before I saw a huge pileated woodpecker being chased by a much smaller bird, though.  Very odd behavior since the breeding season is over and woodpeckers don't prey on other birds.  I couldn't make out what the smaller bird was, unfortunately, but I managed to get a shot with both birds in the frame.  It is posted along with three other shots from today, HERE on Flickr.

And, goodness - my little hummer from the 5th is still on the front page of Popular - thank you!!  My head may not fit through the door any longer...  

Tomorrow should cool off a bit. And maybe we'll even see some rain later in the week - that would be nice as it is very dry at the moment.  A few leaves are already starting to drift down from the trees ...the first small signs of fall, even though the colors haven't yet started to change.  

TTFN...