Hummingbird Caught Taking Shower In Maine Video

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in June 2023.

Linda Thériault-Quirion loves to immerse herself in nature. She goes out for a walk every day, even in winter.

As an outdoor enthusiast, she has developed a keen sense of awareness of what is happening around her.

Those skills paid off, without her even leaving her Presque Isle home in August 2022.

It was pouring with rain outside, which gave a backyard visitor a chance to clean up.

“I was walking past the kitchen window and it caught my eye and I thought, oh my God, that’s so cute,” Thériault-Quirion said.

On a tree branch, a hummingbird flapped its wings and pointed its sharp beak toward the sky while taking the opportunity to take a shower. It was a sight she had never seen before.

Thériault-Quirion pulled out her phone and began filming the episode, which she was kind enough to share with readers of the Bangor Daily News.

“I’ve seen them in the lilac bush before because the hummingbird feeders hang near the bush,” she said. “This one was especially cute.”

Thériault-Quirion explained that the bird in the video is a female ruby-throated hummingbird, which lacks the iridescent red throat feathers found on males. She is used to seeing many different species visiting their feeders.

“We have purple finches, house finches, yellow finches. We have grosbeaks, you name it,” she said, noting that an indigo bunting was the most notable bird that visited us.

“I was just fascinated by it,” she said.

Photography is a favorite pastime of Thériault-Quirion, who enjoys photographing sunsets, sunrises and the moon. His walks in the forest provide him with many photographic subjects.

“I’m always looking for something different,” she said. “People ask me where I took this picture, and most of them were taken here at Mantle Lake.”

Thérault-Quirion, who has worked for the Aroostook County Prosecutor’s Office for nearly 11 years since retiring, admits she’s not particularly patient. However, her forays in search of wildlife and other beautiful natural features with her camera have improved her ability to slow down and enjoy the view.

“It taught me patience,” she said.

Thériault-Quirion is delighted to be able to share her photos and videos on Facebook, because she knows that not everyone is as lucky.

“People message me and say, ‘I used to be able to do this and I really appreciate you sharing these videos and photos,’” she said.

Today we all benefit from his efforts.

Do you have an outdoor photo or video to share? Send it to [email protected] and tell us: “I give BDN permission to use my photo/video.”