6 months early or 2.5 months late???

On Sunday afternoon my jaw nearly hit the floor when I looked out back and saw a brilliant flash of red gold and a familiar friend!  

Mr Rufous Hummingbird was back!!!

These little giants head South like clockwork around mid June each year (traveling to the South of the USA and Southern Mexico to spend the winter.
I have to tell you that in more than 30 years of feeding and watching Hummingbirds I have not seen an adult male Rufous around here  past the first week of July.

There was a dash for my camera gear (that I have been having focus issues with)  and I said a small prayer that the camera would function and Mr Rufous would hang round for at least a few shots.

Now it is Tuesday evening and I have taken at least 1500  photos of the little phenomena who has  been involved in some sort of dramatic incident.   Notice his right eye area...
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Despite his injury this mini Titan has literally taken over the back yard, protecting 2 feeders from other hummingbirds, fighting off wasps and catching his daily quota of flying insects.   God Bless you Rufe!   You are a true warrior !!!

Ouch.. But you should see the other guy!!!

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        This is how you munch down those chewy flying bugs!!   Nom nommm