Hammond's Flycatcher

This may not be the first Hammond's Flycatcher at my oasis, but it's the first one I photographed and ID'd.

Hybrid hummingbird

Today we banded hummingbirds at the oasis and caught what appears to be a hybrid juvenile male. The bander (Kelly Bryan) says it's probably a hybrid between a Ruby-throated and  Black-chinned. Whatever it is, it's cool looking. I would love to see him as an adult with a full gorget.

Lovely oasis morning

With all the rain we've had this year, the oasis was a pleasure to explore in the cool of the morning. No mosquitos, no snakes, really great. I seldom have time to enjoy it. For those of you who can't come see for yourself, I took some photos.

Looking toward the wildlife pond from the hummingbird viewing area where visitors first arrive

Wildlife pond from east looking west in early morning light.

Looking toward the wildlife pond from the south edge of it. (Pretty hidden)

Looking SW over the wildlife pond.

Path through pine trees west of wildlife pond.

Looking east toward grotto water feature with early morning light filtering through.

Hummingbird migration

Migration is in full swing. Here's a handsome Allen's Hummingbird at our feeders in Alpine.

Adult male Allen's

Banding Leucistic hummer

Kelly Bryan, a licensed bander, banded the leucistic female Black-chinned (see August 3 posting). He figures it's less than a month out of the nest.

Albino (leucistic) hummingbird today

It's apparently a female Black-chinned Hummingbird. 

Here her dark roots are showing.

This last shot is included just for size comparison with a normal female Black-chinned.

Pre-oasis photo

I came across this photo while looking for something else. This was the oasis's humble origin. Photo taken about 30 years ago, and yes, that's me. The only thing recognizable is the mountain in the background. If I took a photo today from the exact spot this one was taken  you wouldn't be able to see the mountain for the trees.

Here is a photo looking in the same direction as my original garden, only taken from farther away. This photo taken in May of this year.

Injured hummer in Alpine

There's a pathetic female Black-chinned Hummingbird with a damaged bill at my feeders in Alpine. It acts normal, and I see it has been banded, probably a few months ago, but I don't have high expectations for it survival. I'm hoping to have a licensed bander trap it tomorrow and see if the bill is fixable.

Rain and no mosquitos

It doesn't get much better than that. There shouldn't be any more mosquitos until the first big rain next spring or summer. The gambusias are numerous enough now to keep them in check.

There aren't many birds right now and no migrant hummers yet, so I had to content myself with photographing the same old birds. I know you're tired of looking at Lucifer photos. This one is probably a juvenile male without any gorget feathers yet.

The next one is the same individual that I posted July 17 when he had one gorget feather. Now he has two. The second feather is in the center of his throat. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo showing both feathers at the same time.

Juvenile Lucifer Hummingbird

Early this morning I photographed this feisty juvenile male Lucifer Hummingbird that we banded several days ago. He seems proud of his one gorget feather as well as his one adult tail feather. (Same side) I hope he survives and returns here next year to be captured and remeasured for comparisons. He's very aggressive at the feeders which is unusual for a Lucifer. Tomorrow we leave for a week in Colorado. I'm going to miss my hummers and oasis.