Both the Rufous and Black-chinned hummingbirds were present in the Ripley
garden today between 12:30 and 1:00 (and presumably after). They were both
darting about rapidly, presenting a challenge to the small group of birders
(and the non-birder friend I drug out into the cold) gathered to watch. At
one point when we all had our binoculars trained in the same direction at a
perched hummingbird, it became like the parable of the blind men and the
elephant: some said "Rufous!" Some said "Black-chinned"! We finally
realized that, indeed, both hummers were present, perched probably no more
than 6 or 7 feet from one another. The Rufous appeared to be doing less
dominating and chasing today: perhaps, as Jim Felley suggested, she didn't
want to expend the extra energy on a cold day.
Laura Farron
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