ML108155961

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Several of us puzzled over this bird as we observed because of the location/elevation (9,265 ft.) and the difference in size appearance when flying versus perched. We came to the conclusion that, indeed, it was a Costa’s for these reasons. The bill was slightly d-curved. There was a thin black line connecting the eye to the bill. The wings were longer than the tail. The tail appeared rounded and not pointed. The cheek was a dusky gray. Below, the bird was largely unmarked and very plain without any stippling in the throat or flanks. It gave some faint “pit” sounds the first time it landed on its favorite perch, which alerted me to its presence. One of the things that puzzled us was when it flew alone down low in the bushes, it appeared larger and plumper than we would have expected for a Costa’s. But then when it landed on the branch that it returned to at least three times, it appeared small and we were able to notice more details than when it was flying. Regarding the elevation, several of us hike extensively in the Sierra at elevation during the summer. Over the years we have noticed that in late July and August many hummingbirds travel upslope and feed on the abundant wild flowers that are at higher elevations later in the summer. Four of us were able to photograph the bird. We watched this individual feed in Mono County, then fly into Madera County, and then return to Mono. This is first time we have seen this species in either Mono or Madera counties. Rosie Howard.

Technical information

Model

DSC-HX400V

Lens

4.3-215mm f/2.8-6.3

ISO

100

Focal length

215 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

4707 pixels x 3578 pixels

Original file size

2.62 MB