A Hummingbird in the Heat

This was the temperature on our front porch yesterday. I went out to water some plants that were looking desperate and while I was watering the containers this little hummingbird flew over and perched himself on the edge of the blue planter. We feed these little guys with a hanging feeder on the other end of the porch, so I'm use to having them fly around us when we're out there. I'm sure it was the water, trickling out of the hose, that caught his attention. But then he landed right nearby , which kind of surprised me.

I think it's an Anna's hummer. They are prevalent around here, but he seemed so small and lackluster. Maybe the smoke was cramping his style too. Maybe he was a young one.

Then he did the most amazing thing. He started drinking the water from the hose nozzle. He must have been dying for something cool to drink. He didn't even seem to mind when it splashed on him. He was having a good time..., enjoying the water that had finally come his way. The feeder that we fill every morning was almost empty and the water was very warm, even though it was under the porch eaves. Well, this little bird just decided to take matters into his own hands.

I love it when these things happen. He (or maybe it was a "she"; I'm not sure) took full advantage of the situation even though a human was standing over him. He must have been nervous about being so close to me but he went ahead and took the drink anyway. What bravery!..., and I got the photo shoot of the summer.