Hummingbirds

For those of you in Australia and other parts of the globe who are not familiar with the Hummingbird, they are petite birds with iridescent feathers found in the Americas. Their name comes from the fact that they flap their wings so fast (about 80 times per second) that they make a humming noise. Apparently they can even fly backwards and upside down.
I have always been fascinated with these tiny creatures, enjoying them at friend's feeders on the Canadian Prairie and Okanagan. Recently Keith and I had the pleasure of experiencing a variety of them in Costa Rica where about 50 species live.
I have learned that there is both a local and migrating hummingbird species on Vancouver Island. I had noticed one enjoying my patio flowers last fall but had not seen any this spring.
The day I sent off my final dissertation one fluttered at my office window. I took it as a good omen.
In celebration of the completion of the dissertation Keith bought me a feeder which is attached to that window and today I have had regular visits from the shy but sweet bird. Who, as a matter of fact is enjoying the sugar water as I write. I would have to pull up the blind to take a photo and probably scare him or her off so here are a couple of photos of the birds we saw in Costa Rica.