Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope)

Eastham, Massachusetts - 19 & 21 December 2002

This hummingbird was first noted by the homeowner on or about 1 November 2002, but she assumed it was "just" a Ruby-throated. It's presence became known to local birders on 9 December and it was seen by a dozen or so people during the Cape Cod CBC on 15 December, among whom were John Kricher and Wayne Petersen who identified the bird as a young male Calliope Hummingbird. The homeowner was very concerned about the welfare of the bird and was convinced that it would be disturbed by birders. She therefore requested that its whereabouts not be advertised. However, she did allow Jeremiah Trimble and Rick Heil to visit on 19 December and Scott Surner, Blair Nikula and a few others on 21 December.

The following images were obtained by Jeremiah Trimble, digiscoping with a Nikon Coolpix 995 and a Leica Televid telescope w/20-60X eyepiece.  All images © 2002 Jeremiah Trimble.
                   

The images below were obtained by Blair Nikula on 21 December 2002, digiscoped using the same equipment listed above.  All images ©2002 Blair Nikula.