September 5, 2026
A Young Peregrine on the Ascent
Yesterday in the Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz, N.Y., Chris Nadareski of the NYC DEP released four young rehabbed peregrines,…
While visiting the Yale Gallery of Art recently, I came across this painting by one of my favorite artists, Martin Johnson Heade.
I thought the painting was great but was disappointed that the accompanying description did not mention what species of Brazilian hummingbird was depicted.
Any suggestions?
Yes, Heade called the Red-tailed Comet “Sappho Comet”. See The Life and Work of Martin Johnson Heade: A Critical Analysis and Catalogue, p. 295.
The hummingbird I think is a Sappho Comet. See: An Eye For Art-Studying Nature-Martin Johnson Heade. Thanks for this. I like Johnson’s paintings. There’s something about his marshes…
2 comments
Diane (Yalie)
Yes, Heade called the Red-tailed Comet “Sappho Comet”. See The Life and Work of Martin Johnson Heade: A Critical Analysis and Catalogue, p. 295.
Pat Price
The hummingbird I think is a Sappho Comet. See: An Eye For Art-Studying Nature-Martin Johnson Heade. Thanks for this. I like Johnson’s paintings. There’s something about his marshes…