In contrast to yesterday's long trek, I didn't need to go very far to find something interesting. On this chilly morning, the first of the female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds showed up at the feeder, and not long afterwards, the two males I've been watching started to show behavior that was in sharp contrast to the peaceful coexistence that had characterized their previous encounters since they arrived in late April. They constantly flew at each other and some of the flight paths looked like the courtship patterns they engaged in when the desire was to dazzle a prospective mate. The exquisite aerodynamics are as impressive as any aerial "dogfight" flown by human fighter pilots, and it's fun to watch, even though it is deadly serious. When the male RTHs weren't flying at each other, they paused long enough to drink nectar in the feeder and from the wild geraniums and garden columbines I provided. Then, their pint-sized batteries recharged, it was back to battle. I'm guessing the female hummingbird was watching from the shadows... and taking notes.