Cardinal Flowers and Hummingbirds

I crossed the low water bridge on Little Sugar Creek near Mound City today and was greeted by some of the state’s most beautiful plants – cardinal flowers. These tall red flowers, used as love charms by American Indians, grow in moist, semi-shaded areas through much of Kansas. They flower July through September, and seeing them is always a treat.

But it was even better when ruby-throated hummingbirds appeared and started feeding. Cardinal flowers are a favorite hummingbird food, and these tiny bird dynamos must eat about every 10 minutes. So I knew I’d have several chances to show this beautiful, wild interaction.

So fast are the hummingbird’s wings while sipping nectar that they can barely be seen. But slowing down the clip, you can study the rapid motion.

Cardinal flowers and hummingbirds –  a wonderful August combination.