Late Lucifer

Having a male Lucifer Hummingbird this late in the year made me wonder how unusual that is. So I looked it up in the publication Kelly Bryan authored after finishing his banding project, which included the oasis for 8 years (2008-2016). We learned so much about the status of Lucifers in those "good ole days."

November 26, 2023

What I learned from the publication is that there were a couple of late Lucifer males. One was Dec 9, 2013 in Study Butte, and the other Dec 2-12, 2015 in that general area also. (The former was even a first US winter record.) I already knew none had been seen as far north as the oasis this late in the year.

The recent late fall rain left the "Dragonfly Pond" the greenest it's ever been.

There are also a couple of Anna's Hummingbirds and a Rufous at the oasis.

Female Anna's

In town I have an Allen's Hummingbird, but it only shows up once or twice a day when the light isn't good for photos. I have to use too long a shutter speed. He seems noticeably smaller, although fatter, than the Rufous sharing a feeder with him.