It’s hard to fathom but the time for one of our closest summer friends to depart for their annual journey south is very near. Typically by mid-August the small in size yet large in personality Calliope Hummingbirds begin their fall migration. This summer we have been blessed to have a handful of Calliopes living in the forest nearby and have enjoyed seeing them buzzing about the forest and also visiting the feeders in our yard.

Today we feature a few photographs of the females. Quiet and strong in every way.

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the United States. It weighs about one-third as much as the smallest North American warblers and about the same as a ping pong ball.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Calliope_Hummingbird/overview

This tiny hummingbird is the smallest long-distance migrant in the world. Calliope Hummingbirds travel around 5,000 miles each year in a big oval from the breeding to wintering grounds. They migrate north along the Pacific Coast in the spring, but return to the wintering grounds in Mexico via an inland route along the Rocky Mountains.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Calliope_Hummingbird/overview

We bid you adieu and look forward to seeing you soon. Perhaps we could visit you this winter?

Wising you a wonderful weekend.