Sunbirds and Hibiscus

Wherever there are Hibiscus flowers, Sunbirds make a ubiquitous presence. For this very reason, I have lots of Hibiscus shrubs planted.


Realising that the flower was out of reach, ...


it inched its way up the stem.

When it estimated that it was near enough, it inserted its long curve beak into the base of the flower and drank long and deep of its sweet nectar.

 

Other critters like these small brown bugs find food sources from other parts of the flower.

This Sunbird straddled a flower stalk to get at the coveted sweet drink.

 
Another Sunbird did an upside down act for the very same purpose.


A contented male Sunbird chirping on top of a seasoned pole, streaked with patches of green and white fungal growth.

 

The electric-blue feathers on its throat shimmer in the sun, appearing blue to purple depending on the angle of the sunrays.

Scramblers and Climbers - Bougainvillea and Quisqalis

The front left facade of my city home is graced by this variegated bougainvillea with deep purple flowers. It brought much gaiety and colour to my house during the Chinese New Year period as it was at its height of blooming. Its flowers are long-lasting and can withstand the heavy showers which was frequent then. The flowers of most types of Bougainvillea drop rather easily when faced with the onslaught of the elements.

 
February 2013

July 2012

 
Dec 2011

A Quisqualis indica (Rangoon creeper) next to it drapes the right side of the house.

Sunbirds are particularly partial to Quisqualis indica flowers.


After the nectary feed it flew away to perch on the glass edge but did not go anywhere near the bougainvillea flowers.

Sunbirds on power cables

The green-yellow variegated leaves are ...

 
just as pretty as the flowers.

Olive-backed Sunbirds on Quisqualis indica

Birds are common visitors to my garden. One such visitor is the Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis). Sighting these birds gave me an opportunity to have a fruitful session with my new tele-lens.

The Olive-backed Sunbird has a yellow belly and dark metallic blue throat on the underside of the neck and spreading to upper chest area. The upper part of its head and body is a dull, dirty yellow colour which we describe as olive.

This sunbird did a through inspection of this cluster of flowers ...


before thumbing his beak away. It then sat prettily on this bunch of flowers and sang, making for a rather good composition.

"Sweet bird!  thy bow'r is ever green,
Thy sky is ever clear;
thou has't no sorrow in thy song,
No winter in thy year."
~  John Logan 


I've always enjoyed looking at the Quisqualis indica when it is in full bloom. The fragrance that wafted down made for a heady olfactory experience.

On another day, I saw this sunbird peering down from the midst of this inflorescence.

It perched in a haughthy manner, knowing that it was safe and sound, high up way above human reach.

 
"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, 
still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings" ~ Victor Hugo