Water-loving hummer

[Sherri Carpenter <sherric@charter.net>]

I was late to work again today - blame it on the birds!  I put the
little dog out for her last duty call, and heard a scarlet tanager
singing in the woods, and the often-heard-seldom-seen red-eyed vireo at
the edge of the yard.  I stepped in and grabbed my binocular, but
stopped just outside the door when I realized a male RTH was hovering
over the birdbath, drinking from the dripper.  I stood still and watched
as he then swooped to the surface of the water and "skated" - or maybe
"skied" - around the bowl several times.  He dipped his beak in
repeatedly,then flew back to the drip, then skied around on the surface
several more times.  He finally ended his bath by submerging most of his
little self in the water at the edge of the bowl and vigorously flapping
his wings before lifting off again and zooming to the top of the
sweetgum.  What a treat!  I think the camera will start living at the
back door next to the binoculars!
Saw the REV, missed the tanager- made it to work finally.  Good thing
the boss is a birdwatcher, too.

Sherri Carpenter
Roxboro, NC