Hum B [as in bird]

In late September, we had several dozen ruby throated hummingbirds in our yard at our multiple feeders. Both male and female. Now, mid October, there are only the females that remain. The male hummingbirds have left...that's a given each migrating season...both Spring and Fall Migration, the males are always the first to leave. Some say it's for the mating/nesting preferences, others surmise it gives the female and their young better choices of food for the long trek to their wintering grounds [summer habitat]. Personally, I think, after watching both genders, the male hummingbird is just way too dominate for their britches. There is a LOT of ego in that tiny bird!!! They're stingy, don't like sharing, territorial, and quite selfish. After mating, the male leaves [again] and the female nests, and rears the offspring by herself! All instinct. The survival of the fittest. Anyway, I have two more photos of the MALE in our backyard from September I'll share...

...now the remaining female hummingbirds that were at our feeders on Friday:

As the backyard population will dwindle in the next week or so, the usual time between the male leaving our area, and then the female and young, is about three weeks. Only a few will remain through the winter....perhaps a guesstimation of 5%.