Albatrossity on Nostr: Hummingbirds may look fragile and delicate, but this one is here to tell you that she ...

Hummingbirds may look fragile and delicate, but this one is here to tell you that she is tough as nails. I photographed her this morning at Wildcat Park between Manhattan and Keats KS. She seemed to be flying normally and feeding. When I got home and looked at the pictures I was shocked to see that she has a very deformed bill and seems to be missing her left eye. I had a virtual conversation with a hummingbird expert, and she thinks that this must be some sort of developmental problem; if so, that means that this Ruby-throated Hummingbird came out of the nest looking like this.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

#Nature #NaturePhotography #Birds #Wildlife #NatureCommunity #Photography #BirdsOfMastodon #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #FlyoverCountry