Desert Hummers

We have 3 Desert Willow trees on our property in 29 Palms, and I always look forward to this time of year when they start to bloom. "Tree" is perhaps an overstatement, as they tend to be almost bush-like in appearance, with multiple trunks and generally getting to only about 15 feet or so in height. However, you have to admire anything that can survive and grow in this severe desert environment, and the Desert Willow is one of the few native trees able to do this. Here's a shot of my wife sitting next to a Desert Willow... actually a better shot of the prickly pear than the Desert Willow, but you get the idea!

They have a lavender-color flower that reminds me of a jacaranda flower, and the trees always attract lots of humming birds. Desert hummers tend to be a little smaller and less colorful than those I see in other parts of CA, but fun to photograph nonetheless.

The shot below is a good one to show the appearance of the Desert Willow flowers and leaves.

There are a limited number of flowering trees and plants in the desert, especially during years of low rain, and I'm always amazed how these hummers seem to almost magically show up, and in significant numbers, when things are in bloom. They love the red ocotillo blooms as well, but I'll have to save that for a future post.

This little hummer (above) seemed not at all bothered by me and my 400mm lens. She (I'm guessing a female because lack of color, or perhaps a juvenile?) sat on the same branch as I circled her with my camera. It was very windy, and you can kind of see she has some feathers out of place! The sun was behind her, hence the backlighting.

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by!