[va-bird] D.C. Hummer Alert!

A hummingbird was sighted and observed for an extended period of time in
the Ripley Gardens in SW D.C. (between Arts & Industries and the Hirshorn
Museums) at 1:45 p.m. on November 17.  I am not an expert at hummer I.D.,
nor did I have any books with me, but it appeared much more like a
Ruby-throated than a Rufous to me.  I did note a darkish vertical line
under the eyes, but essentially no rufous coloring.  The hummer was
appreciatively using some of the many flowers at Ripley that have not yet
been frosted.  It was concentrating on a large patch of blue Salvia
guaranitica  If entering the gardens from the Mall, to your right, behind
the island with the large red Japanese Maple, is a long, curving, raised
flowerbed.  The largest patch of S. guaranitica is not quite in the middle
of this bed, near a large patch of Persicaria (some of which has been
frosted).  In addition to nectaring at, and sitting in, this Salvia, the
hummer also sat in a Chaste tree to the left of the Salvia, then continued
to fly left along the bed, using various flowers and occasionally sitting
as well.  It even sat briefly in a tall but extremely dead plant (probably
NY Ironweed).

I mentioned the hummer to the horticulturist, Janet Draper, who was working
in the garden.  She was not aware it was there, but said that they usually
have one hummingbird every year which stays much longer than the others.
This makes the possibility of a late Ruby-throated seem a little more
likely.  But I would appreciate another birder's opinion; so, to any other
birders around the Mall in D.C., here's your excuse to take a break and
look for a hummer!  It was very cooperative when I spotted it, but no
guarantees.


                                          Laura Farron, Technical Writer
                                          Federal Aviation Administration

P.S. I apologize if this report arrives late: our e-mail is not always
reliable, and sometimes randomly holds messages for long periods before
sending them.


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