first female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

When the first male Ruby-throated Hummingbird arrived at the beginning of the week, I was anticipating an early season for these wonderful birds. In fact, last year, no sooner had the guys come "home" to the ridge than the females followed suit later in the day. But this year was different... very different. I spotted that male, with his remarkably iridescent throat feathers, on April 27th, but then he disappeared. That, to be sure, seemed smart, for the weather turned unnaturally cool and rainy, With the flowers on hold and energy demands high in the chill, I half imagined that he turned around and headed back south to tell his colleagues, "Stay put. It's awful up there." Today, conditions promise to be much improved—for a while, anyway—and in response, the first female RTH showed up at the feeder. She wasn't at all shy about hanging around and returning. Maybe it's truly time... this time.