Ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are on migration now, heading for their wintering grounds in Central America. On the way they look for red flowers to sip.
This native perennial — cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) — is one of their favorites.
Look for cardinal flower along creeks and marshes. You’ll find it blooming where it’s wet.
(photo by Lauri Shaffer at birdingpictures.com, video by the Capital Naturalist on YouTube)
By now my cardinal flower is finished blooming. Yesterday we saw three hummers at one time sipping nectar from great blue lobelia flowers. Even though they aren’t red, they are apparently a good nectar source and follow-up to cardinal flower for hummingbirds, and they bloom a little later.