The Rivoli’s Hummingbird is such a spectacular hummingbird that every time I see one, especially the males like this one, I am awestruck. Their size, of course, seems so unusual because we always think of hummingbirds as tiny creatures and this one is as big as a House Finch. And the sound of his wings can be heard from quite some distance so you’re alerted to his presence. But, when the light is just right, the colors of his gorget and crown are startlingly gorgeous. When I took this shot on our last morning in Madera Canyon, the flash created a reflection of the brilliant emerald green color onto the top edge of his wings and onto the feathers on his sides. He paused ever so briefly and then he was gone.