Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
There's something about watching a hummingbird build its nest that takes me back to my childhood days on our family ranch. Back then, I'd spend hours perched in the old cottonwoods along the creek, observing everything from eagles to field mice. But today, sitting here under the spreading canopy of a Palo Verde tree near Lake Mohave, I'm witnessing something even more special – a female Anna's Hummingbird crafting her tiny home.
The morning started like many others in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The thermometer on my truck read a perfect 72 degrees as I set up my camera gear, hoping to capture some shots of the desert wildflowers that carpet the terrain this time of year. The Palo Verde trees are about to bloom, their yellow flowers will create a golden canopy against the deep azure sky that seems to stretch endlessly over the Mojave Desert.
As I adjusted my tripod, a flash of iridescent green caught my eye – a female hummingbird, darting back and forth with purpose. Having spent over five decades photographing wildlife across the American Southwest, from the Colorado Rockies to the Sonoran Desert, I've learned to recognize when an animal is up to something interesting. This little lady was definitely on a mission.
About the Author: With over 50 years of experience photographing wildlife across the American Southwest, the author continues to document the intricate relationships between the region's diverse wildlife and their environments. His work has appeared in numerous YouTube blogs and outdoor websites, showcasing the beauty and complexity of desert ecosystems.
nmosg.com
There's something about watching a hummingbird build its nest that takes me back to my childhood days on our family ranch. Back then, I'd spend hours perched in the old cottonwoods along the creek, observing everything from eagles to field mice. But today, sitting here under the spreading canopy of a Palo Verde tree near Lake Mohave, I'm witnessing something even more special – a female Anna's Hummingbird crafting her tiny home.
The morning started like many others in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The thermometer on my truck read a perfect 72 degrees as I set up my camera gear, hoping to capture some shots of the desert wildflowers that carpet the terrain this time of year. The Palo Verde trees are about to bloom, their yellow flowers will create a golden canopy against the deep azure sky that seems to stretch endlessly over the Mojave Desert.
As I adjusted my tripod, a flash of iridescent green caught my eye – a female hummingbird, darting back and forth with purpose. Having spent over five decades photographing wildlife across the American Southwest, from the Colorado Rockies to the Sonoran Desert, I've learned to recognize when an animal is up to something interesting. This little lady was definitely on a mission.
About the Author: With over 50 years of experience photographing wildlife across the American Southwest, the author continues to document the intricate relationships between the region's diverse wildlife and their environments. His work has appeared in numerous YouTube blogs and outdoor websites, showcasing the beauty and complexity of desert ecosystems.
nmosg.com
