As if from an action movie, this little ruby was hovering just below the flower and it slowly rose above the edge of the flower, staring right through me with those ruby eyes, right into my soul, daring me to try and capture its essence . . .

"Woohoo for National Hummingbird Day!" hoots our little feathered friend, a juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Look at that beautiful start to his gorget, and no doubt he will someday sport a beautiful full ruby throat to help him attract a mate as well as defend his territory . . .

"Our conductor for today is Li'l Miss Ruby, and before she heads south for her winter residency in South America, she graciously agreed to lead our flowers in beautiful arrangements of In The Garden and Flight of the Bumblebee. Enjoy!" Ah one, Ah two, Ah three . . .

A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird flits by and hovers face-to-face for a couple of seconds, as if to be saying, "Oh yeah, I put the ruby in the Ruby-throated my friend!" and then continues on with his business.

"Here, let me turn my head just a little so you can get my best side . . . " It was time for a quick rest for this male Ruby-throated before he flew off to defend his territory and chase off other rubies. No wonder they're always feeding since it takes so much energy to chase each other around!

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are becoming more active as August is here, and the days getting shorter, and they start getting ready for their big trip south. This female ruby gave me the side-eye last evening while darting among the flowers . . .