Feeders are cleaned, filled and hung up in anticipation of the Hummingbird arrivals. This past winter was very mild. We've just experienced a little heat wave also with temps in the 90s for 4 days. The trees and shrubs all seem to be blooming about 3-4 weeks ahead of schedule so I think the hummers may return earlier than usual. I'm going out today to buy some flowers to put out on the deck to entice the little critters. Wait and see. May 3, 2002 Saw first Hummer today. A male. But... unforunately my feeder was empty. We had a really windy day and the nector was kind of blown out from the feeder swinging in the wind. So I refilled and placed it out again. I'll see if he comes back tomorrow. May 5, 2002 O Ye of little faith! I was afraid he wouldn't come back becuase of the feeder being empty. But he did, as well as other. They have been here on a regular basis all weekend. I've decided to name one of the females Zena, because she is a terror!!! Other hummers come and she comes out of nowhere and chases them away. I've had several other females and males. But I can already tell Zena. I believe she is the same hummer from last summer that claimed the trellis as her own and would sit there watching for trouble. Zena has again claimed the trellis and sits in wait to defend her territory. My new kitten is exhausted from trying to get the hummers. She has finally given up and just lies on the deck and emits little sounds when they are around. My other cat just lays there watching. A couple of times they chittered at the kitten, flying close to her and then dissappearing. They never bothered with my other cat. Maybe they remember her and know she is "safe". I was out on the deck playing with my flowers and one of the hummers came very close to me. I talked to it, saying, "You remember me.... you know I'm not going to hurt you. Welcome back." Throughout the afternoon the hummers came and went, wary of me, yet my presence didn't stop them from feeding. Til next time.... Here are some photos I've taken so far. Zena on guard!! Male at feeder. I was quiet close to him and he really didn't mind. I love this photo. There are 3 hummers: one on the perch.... and two in mid flight. Actually the two in flight were chasing each other and I actually heard them bump into each other. Ouch! It must have hurt. Another season passed. My birds left the first week in October. I had more of them this year. For the most part they got used to me. The females seemed to be more tolerant of me than the males. I wonder if they are mostly offspring of Zina's? Til next year my little friends. Be safe and fly!
I cleaned the feeders again even though I had cleaned them before I put them away for the Winter. I made a batch of nector and set out the feeders. It's just a waiting game now.
Surprise! My hummingbird arrived early this year. I was sitting in the living room eating dinner and I just happened to glance out the window and there he was! Irridescent Green in all his glory! He looked a bit thin. Who wouldn't after the jouney he has made to get here. I wonder how many birds I will have this year? I wonder, too, if I'll be able to identify any from last year? Let the wonder of these miracles begin! I'll try to get some pictures and post them here when I can. I'll keep you posted as the season progresses.
I've been real busy this Spring/Summer and haven't had much time to enjoy the little beauties. Although every chance I get I watch for them and they do not disappoint me. Hard to tell exactly how many I have. They come and go and chase each other so I really can't count them. The other evening I was out on the deck after dinner just putzing around with the flowers and pulling weeds. I was standing on a chair so I could get up close to one of my hanging baskets of petunias. I was very close to one of the feeders. Suddenly, I heard the humming drone of a hummingbird. I could tell that it moved from one side of me to the other, altough I didn't turn to look at it. At one point, the bird was so close to me I could feel the breeze from his wings rustling my hair. I wanted so badly to turn and look but I didn't. I didn't want to do anything to frighten the hummingbird away. Finally, he just flew away. As soon as I got down off the chair he came back (probably wasn't far away and was watching me) and went straight to the feeder. That was definitely the thrill of my day!
Here a couple of pictures I took on August 26th, 2001. This bird was a real character. She claimed the morning glory vine as her own and would chase the others away. There were times I didn't even think she was around until... another bird would come to drink and she would some out of the sky like a rocket and chase the other bird away. She would then come right back and sit on the vines. My hummingbirds left early this year. The last day I saw one was September 17th, 2001, which is about a month earlier than last year. I kept the feeders out but haven't seen any since then. Until next year.... ***************************************************** 2000 SEASON April 1, 2000 I set up my balcony in anticipation of the hummers arrival (which according to what I've read is approximately mid April to early May). I know it's probably too early, but I couldn't wait any longer. I have four feeders placed around the deck. Today I bought a feeder with perches. I'm sure the hummers will like it. I marked all the feeders so I will know if any nector is taken. I also bought a few Spring flowers to get my garden started for the little creatures: red Petunias, red Geraniums, and yellow Snap Dragons. I also planted Morning Glory seeds. I placed red ribbon bows along the railing of the deck as an added attraction to get their attention when they do arrive in this area. One last thing, I fashioned a nesting spot up in the corner eaves of the house. I took a small old garden trowel and wrapped a wire coat hanger around it and then secured it to the eaves. I have no idea if the hummers will use it, but it's worth a try. Now, is the hardest part... waiting to see when they will actually arrive! Hurry little Hummers... I have lots of goods for you! (*smile*) Oh, I also saw a pair of (what I am guessing to be) red-tailed hawks today. They were here last year, too. They started last year as two, and buy the end of the summer there were five (again I am assuming this was the entire family: parents and three babies). I love to watch them soaring on the wind currents. They are magnificent creatures. April 6, 2000 Changed the nector today in the feeders. I got excited thinking the hummers had been here because the level of nector in the feeders was down about 1 1/2 inches. RATS! It was the wind! Anxiously awaiting the birds' arrival. The Morning Glorys I planted have already popped up about an inch. Surprisingly fast! April 9, 2000 Yesterday was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, around 70 degrees. Woke this morning to a near BLIZZARD! (Not too common for this time of year.) All of my feeders were frozen. Flowers were all snow- covered. I hope the flowers will survive. Surprise! No hummers today! April 14, 2000 I think Hummers were are my feeders today. I didn't see them (I was at work all day) but the level of nector has dropped since I refilled them last night. I don't think it was windy enough today to spill out that much nector. Tomorrow is Saturday and I hope to watch the feeders in the morning to see if my hunch is correct. April 21, 2000 No hummers yet. I keep filling the feeders but no birds yet. I'm hopleful they will arrive any day now. The weather has been terrible: rain, wind and chilly. Maybe they haven't come to this area yet. May 4, 2000 Still no hummers. I don't know if they are late or if they just haven't found my feeders. I've been checking out all the migration maps and they seem to be all around this area. I won't give up though. If they found me last year, they'll find me again. May 6, 2000 THEY'RE HERE!!! Finally! I was beginning to wonder. But the hummingbirds did find my feeders again. I noticed them about 5:00 this afternoon. There are two of them. They differ in size so I assume it is a male and female. I couldn't see colors on them because of the angle of the sun behind them. They returned at about 12 minute intervals. (Yes, I timed them.) I suppose them finding my feeders today had nothing to do with the fact that I put up a hot pink hanging Petunia planter today, or that I also put out hot pink / purple Fuschias. They probably just arrived and it was coincidence. I'm just glad they are here. I also plan on taking pictures which I will post here if I get any good shots. But I'll hold off on the photos for a few days to let them get acclimated before I start clicking at them. I'll keep you posted. YAHOO!! MAY 8, 2000 My hummer keeps coming back on schedule. It is a female Ruby Throated Hummingbird (unfortunately the only variety in this area). My brother just had his first hummingbird today. His is a male with the classic red throat. He had tried to attract them other years but with no luck. I like to think the tips I gave him were the reason he finally got one at his feeder. He is a avid bird watcher and feeder. His yard attracts all the local birds: robins, a variety of sparrows, downey woodpeckers, gold finches, doves, cardinals, and others which I can't recall. Now if we could just get his male and my female together we could have a family. LOL! I'm hopeful that this year, more will come to my feeders, but I fear my deck space is not large enough to accomodate more without them fighting for the territory. I have the feeders spread as far apart as possible. But even if I don't get more than a few, that's enough for me. Although I would like to see a male. I took some pictures today and if any turned out good enough, I'll post them soon. It's funny, I moved the one feeder and when she came back to feed, you could see that she noticed immediately that it had been moved. She stopped in mid air where the feeder had been previously, looked around and then went straight to the new location. They are amazing creatures. May 16, 200 As far as I can tell, I only have one female hummingbird. She comes regularly to the feeders. Her last few feedings at night she stays longer and drinks much more. I didn't see her for 2 days. The last time before she dissappeared, I noticed that she seemed to be really fat. I am guessing that she has laid her eggs and was tending to them and thus didn't come to the feeder as often and that I must have missed her. But yesterday she came back and has maintained a regular schedule. My brother has not seen his male ruby throat since the first day. Perhaps it was one that was just passing through. He is hopeful that more will show up and has maintained his feeders and and keeps an ever-eager eye to them. May 20, 2000 I now have a male hummingbird at the feeders. I noticed him this morning. At first I thought it was the female, but then he sat on the perches while eating, something the female never does. At closer look, I noticed the red throat (though it is not as bright because he is soaking wet, it's raining). I've also noticed that he is much more curious than the female. He comes close to the windows and looks in. I've been able to get some pictures of him and will have them developed today. Hopefully, I'll be posting them on my page tonight. I haven't seen the female today. I assume because of the bad weather that she must be staying on her nest to keep her eggs warm. The weather is terrible, heavy rain, chilly temps around 50 degrees. But she will have to eat at some point and maybe she will come here for a quick and easy meal. Til next time! Here are the photos I took today, 5/5/00. May 21, 2000 The male hummer is still here today. He is really funny. He stops in mid air and peers in the windows. My cat, Muffy, was out on the deck at one point today and he came for a drink. He saw her, stopped in mid air and was checking her out. (Funny how they notice everything, especially things that were not there before.) He changed positions several times while watching the cat and then finally went back to the feeder. The cat didn't intimidate him at all. Of course Muffy was quite curious about the hummer and annoyed that he didn't come close enough to her. Even if he did get close to her, I think he's too fast for her to catch him. Muff sat the rest of the afternoon looking out the window at him, her tail swishing really fast when he came to eat, or when he would look in the windows. I still haven't seen the female bird. It's been about 3 days now. I hope she's alright and just nesting. Perhaps I've just missed seeing her at the feeders. I hope she'll return soon. The weather was lousy again today, rainy and chilly. So maybe she's still on the nest protecting her eggs. The weather is not supposed to clear up until Tuesday or Wednesday. She's got to eat. She'll be back... I hope. June 11, 200 The male hummer has left the area. But the female is still with me. I think it's the same one from last year. She hasn't come to the feeders on quite the regular schedule she did. But then the flowers and trees are all blooming, so she probably doesn't need the feeders as much. I still love to watch her. I wonder if she'll bring her babies by when they can fly? July 26, 2000 I now have about 5 hummers that come regularly. I can tell each one by their size and coloring/markings. I have two males and 3 females. They chase each other alot as they are very territorial. It seems that while a couple are chasing each other away, another sneaks in to the feeders. I am still amazed at how curious they are. I can go out on to the deck while they are there. They will fly very close to me and stop and stare at me, then go back to the feeders. They often hoover by the door and look in. I've a taken a few more pictures and will put them on this page if they turn out good. I never get tired of watching them, and I guess they don't tire of watching me either. LOL!! Octboer 15, 2000. Well, the summer passed quietly as I watched my Hummers. They came to the feeders less and less frequently until they were gone... about October 5th. I left the feeders up hoping for some flybys... but haven't seen any. I'll take the feeders down in about two weeks, wash them and store them until next year. Hopefully they will all come back and bring some friends with them, too! Until next year, happy humming! Back to Joy of Hummingbirds
My hummingbirds left early this year. The last day I saw one was September 17th, 2001, which is about a month earlier than last year. I kept the feeders out but haven't seen any since then. Until next year.... ***************************************************** 2000 SEASON April 1, 2000 I set up my balcony in anticipation of the hummers arrival (which according to what I've read is approximately mid April to early May). I know it's probably too early, but I couldn't wait any longer. I have four feeders placed around the deck. Today I bought a feeder with perches. I'm sure the hummers will like it. I marked all the feeders so I will know if any nector is taken. I also bought a few Spring flowers to get my garden started for the little creatures: red Petunias, red Geraniums, and yellow Snap Dragons. I also planted Morning Glory seeds. I placed red ribbon bows along the railing of the deck as an added attraction to get their attention when they do arrive in this area. One last thing, I fashioned a nesting spot up in the corner eaves of the house. I took a small old garden trowel and wrapped a wire coat hanger around it and then secured it to the eaves. I have no idea if the hummers will use it, but it's worth a try. Now, is the hardest part... waiting to see when they will actually arrive! Hurry little Hummers... I have lots of goods for you! (*smile*) Oh, I also saw a pair of (what I am guessing to be) red-tailed hawks today. They were here last year, too. They started last year as two, and buy the end of the summer there were five (again I am assuming this was the entire family: parents and three babies). I love to watch them soaring on the wind currents. They are magnificent creatures. April 6, 2000 Changed the nector today in the feeders. I got excited thinking the hummers had been here because the level of nector in the feeders was down about 1 1/2 inches. RATS! It was the wind! Anxiously awaiting the birds' arrival. The Morning Glorys I planted have already popped up about an inch. Surprisingly fast! April 9, 2000 Yesterday was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, around 70 degrees. Woke this morning to a near BLIZZARD! (Not too common for this time of year.) All of my feeders were frozen. Flowers were all snow- covered. I hope the flowers will survive. Surprise! No hummers today! April 14, 2000 I think Hummers were are my feeders today. I didn't see them (I was at work all day) but the level of nector has dropped since I refilled them last night. I don't think it was windy enough today to spill out that much nector. Tomorrow is Saturday and I hope to watch the feeders in the morning to see if my hunch is correct. April 21, 2000 No hummers yet. I keep filling the feeders but no birds yet. I'm hopleful they will arrive any day now. The weather has been terrible: rain, wind and chilly. Maybe they haven't come to this area yet. May 4, 2000 Still no hummers. I don't know if they are late or if they just haven't found my feeders. I've been checking out all the migration maps and they seem to be all around this area. I won't give up though. If they found me last year, they'll find me again. May 6, 2000 THEY'RE HERE!!! Finally! I was beginning to wonder. But the hummingbirds did find my feeders again. I noticed them about 5:00 this afternoon. There are two of them. They differ in size so I assume it is a male and female. I couldn't see colors on them because of the angle of the sun behind them. They returned at about 12 minute intervals. (Yes, I timed them.) I suppose them finding my feeders today had nothing to do with the fact that I put up a hot pink hanging Petunia planter today, or that I also put out hot pink / purple Fuschias. They probably just arrived and it was coincidence. I'm just glad they are here. I also plan on taking pictures which I will post here if I get any good shots. But I'll hold off on the photos for a few days to let them get acclimated before I start clicking at them. I'll keep you posted. YAHOO!! MAY 8, 2000 My hummer keeps coming back on schedule. It is a female Ruby Throated Hummingbird (unfortunately the only variety in this area). My brother just had his first hummingbird today. His is a male with the classic red throat. He had tried to attract them other years but with no luck. I like to think the tips I gave him were the reason he finally got one at his feeder. He is a avid bird watcher and feeder. His yard attracts all the local birds: robins, a variety of sparrows, downey woodpeckers, gold finches, doves, cardinals, and others which I can't recall. Now if we could just get his male and my female together we could have a family. LOL! I'm hopeful that this year, more will come to my feeders, but I fear my deck space is not large enough to accomodate more without them fighting for the territory. I have the feeders spread as far apart as possible. But even if I don't get more than a few, that's enough for me. Although I would like to see a male. I took some pictures today and if any turned out good enough, I'll post them soon. It's funny, I moved the one feeder and when she came back to feed, you could see that she noticed immediately that it had been moved. She stopped in mid air where the feeder had been previously, looked around and then went straight to the new location. They are amazing creatures. May 16, 200 As far as I can tell, I only have one female hummingbird. She comes regularly to the feeders. Her last few feedings at night she stays longer and drinks much more. I didn't see her for 2 days. The last time before she dissappeared, I noticed that she seemed to be really fat. I am guessing that she has laid her eggs and was tending to them and thus didn't come to the feeder as often and that I must have missed her. But yesterday she came back and has maintained a regular schedule. My brother has not seen his male ruby throat since the first day. Perhaps it was one that was just passing through. He is hopeful that more will show up and has maintained his feeders and and keeps an ever-eager eye to them. May 20, 2000 I now have a male hummingbird at the feeders. I noticed him this morning. At first I thought it was the female, but then he sat on the perches while eating, something the female never does. At closer look, I noticed the red throat (though it is not as bright because he is soaking wet, it's raining). I've also noticed that he is much more curious than the female. He comes close to the windows and looks in. I've been able to get some pictures of him and will have them developed today. Hopefully, I'll be posting them on my page tonight. I haven't seen the female today. I assume because of the bad weather that she must be staying on her nest to keep her eggs warm. The weather is terrible, heavy rain, chilly temps around 50 degrees. But she will have to eat at some point and maybe she will come here for a quick and easy meal. Til next time! Here are the photos I took today, 5/5/00. May 21, 2000 The male hummer is still here today. He is really funny. He stops in mid air and peers in the windows. My cat, Muffy, was out on the deck at one point today and he came for a drink. He saw her, stopped in mid air and was checking her out. (Funny how they notice everything, especially things that were not there before.) He changed positions several times while watching the cat and then finally went back to the feeder. The cat didn't intimidate him at all. Of course Muffy was quite curious about the hummer and annoyed that he didn't come close enough to her. Even if he did get close to her, I think he's too fast for her to catch him. Muff sat the rest of the afternoon looking out the window at him, her tail swishing really fast when he came to eat, or when he would look in the windows. I still haven't seen the female bird. It's been about 3 days now. I hope she's alright and just nesting. Perhaps I've just missed seeing her at the feeders. I hope she'll return soon. The weather was lousy again today, rainy and chilly. So maybe she's still on the nest protecting her eggs. The weather is not supposed to clear up until Tuesday or Wednesday. She's got to eat. She'll be back... I hope. June 11, 200 The male hummer has left the area. But the female is still with me. I think it's the same one from last year. She hasn't come to the feeders on quite the regular schedule she did. But then the flowers and trees are all blooming, so she probably doesn't need the feeders as much. I still love to watch her. I wonder if she'll bring her babies by when they can fly? July 26, 2000 I now have about 5 hummers that come regularly. I can tell each one by their size and coloring/markings. I have two males and 3 females. They chase each other alot as they are very territorial. It seems that while a couple are chasing each other away, another sneaks in to the feeders. I am still amazed at how curious they are. I can go out on to the deck while they are there. They will fly very close to me and stop and stare at me, then go back to the feeders. They often hoover by the door and look in. I've a taken a few more pictures and will put them on this page if they turn out good. I never get tired of watching them, and I guess they don't tire of watching me either. LOL!! Octboer 15, 2000. Well, the summer passed quietly as I watched my Hummers. They came to the feeders less and less frequently until they were gone... about October 5th. I left the feeders up hoping for some flybys... but haven't seen any. I'll take the feeders down in about two weeks, wash them and store them until next year. Hopefully they will all come back and bring some friends with them, too! Until next year, happy humming! Back to Joy of Hummingbirds
I set up my balcony in anticipation of the hummers arrival (which according to what I've read is approximately mid April to early May). I know it's probably too early, but I couldn't wait any longer. I have four feeders placed around the deck. Today I bought a feeder with perches. I'm sure the hummers will like it. I marked all the feeders so I will know if any nector is taken. I also bought a few Spring flowers to get my garden started for the little creatures: red Petunias, red Geraniums, and yellow Snap Dragons. I also planted Morning Glory seeds. I placed red ribbon bows along the railing of the deck as an added attraction to get their attention when they do arrive in this area. One last thing, I fashioned a nesting spot up in the corner eaves of the house. I took a small old garden trowel and wrapped a wire coat hanger around it and then secured it to the eaves. I have no idea if the hummers will use it, but it's worth a try. Now, is the hardest part... waiting to see when they will actually arrive! Hurry little Hummers... I have lots of goods for you! (*smile*) Oh, I also saw a pair of (what I am guessing to be) red-tailed hawks today. They were here last year, too. They started last year as two, and buy the end of the summer there were five (again I am assuming this was the entire family: parents and three babies). I love to watch them soaring on the wind currents. They are magnificent creatures.
Changed the nector today in the feeders. I got excited thinking the hummers had been here because the level of nector in the feeders was down about 1 1/2 inches. RATS! It was the wind! Anxiously awaiting the birds' arrival. The Morning Glorys I planted have already popped up about an inch. Surprisingly fast!
Yesterday was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, around 70 degrees. Woke this morning to a near BLIZZARD! (Not too common for this time of year.) All of my feeders were frozen. Flowers were all snow- covered. I hope the flowers will survive. Surprise! No hummers today!
I think Hummers were are my feeders today. I didn't see them (I was at work all day) but the level of nector has dropped since I refilled them last night. I don't think it was windy enough today to spill out that much nector. Tomorrow is Saturday and I hope to watch the feeders in the morning to see if my hunch is correct.
No hummers yet. I keep filling the feeders but no birds yet. I'm hopleful they will arrive any day now. The weather has been terrible: rain, wind and chilly. Maybe they haven't come to this area yet.
Still no hummers. I don't know if they are late or if they just haven't found my feeders. I've been checking out all the migration maps and they seem to be all around this area. I won't give up though. If they found me last year, they'll find me again.
THEY'RE HERE!!! Finally! I was beginning to wonder. But the hummingbirds did find my feeders again. I noticed them about 5:00 this afternoon. There are two of them. They differ in size so I assume it is a male and female. I couldn't see colors on them because of the angle of the sun behind them. They returned at about 12 minute intervals. (Yes, I timed them.) I suppose them finding my feeders today had nothing to do with the fact that I put up a hot pink hanging Petunia planter today, or that I also put out hot pink / purple Fuschias. They probably just arrived and it was coincidence. I'm just glad they are here. I also plan on taking pictures which I will post here if I get any good shots. But I'll hold off on the photos for a few days to let them get acclimated before I start clicking at them. I'll keep you posted. YAHOO!!
My hummer keeps coming back on schedule. It is a female Ruby Throated Hummingbird (unfortunately the only variety in this area). My brother just had his first hummingbird today. His is a male with the classic red throat. He had tried to attract them other years but with no luck. I like to think the tips I gave him were the reason he finally got one at his feeder. He is a avid bird watcher and feeder. His yard attracts all the local birds: robins, a variety of sparrows, downey woodpeckers, gold finches, doves, cardinals, and others which I can't recall. Now if we could just get his male and my female together we could have a family. LOL! I'm hopeful that this year, more will come to my feeders, but I fear my deck space is not large enough to accomodate more without them fighting for the territory. I have the feeders spread as far apart as possible. But even if I don't get more than a few, that's enough for me. Although I would like to see a male. I took some pictures today and if any turned out good enough, I'll post them soon. It's funny, I moved the one feeder and when she came back to feed, you could see that she noticed immediately that it had been moved. She stopped in mid air where the feeder had been previously, looked around and then went straight to the new location. They are amazing creatures.
As far as I can tell, I only have one female hummingbird. She comes regularly to the feeders. Her last few feedings at night she stays longer and drinks much more. I didn't see her for 2 days. The last time before she dissappeared, I noticed that she seemed to be really fat. I am guessing that she has laid her eggs and was tending to them and thus didn't come to the feeder as often and that I must have missed her. But yesterday she came back and has maintained a regular schedule. My brother has not seen his male ruby throat since the first day. Perhaps it was one that was just passing through. He is hopeful that more will show up and has maintained his feeders and and keeps an ever-eager eye to them.
I now have a male hummingbird at the feeders. I noticed him this morning. At first I thought it was the female, but then he sat on the perches while eating, something the female never does. At closer look, I noticed the red throat (though it is not as bright because he is soaking wet, it's raining). I've also noticed that he is much more curious than the female. He comes close to the windows and looks in. I've been able to get some pictures of him and will have them developed today. Hopefully, I'll be posting them on my page tonight. I haven't seen the female today. I assume because of the bad weather that she must be staying on her nest to keep her eggs warm. The weather is terrible, heavy rain, chilly temps around 50 degrees. But she will have to eat at some point and maybe she will come here for a quick and easy meal. Til next time!
Here are the photos I took today, 5/5/00.
The male hummer is still here today. He is really funny. He stops in mid air and peers in the windows. My cat, Muffy, was out on the deck at one point today and he came for a drink. He saw her, stopped in mid air and was checking her out. (Funny how they notice everything, especially things that were not there before.) He changed positions several times while watching the cat and then finally went back to the feeder. The cat didn't intimidate him at all. Of course Muffy was quite curious about the hummer and annoyed that he didn't come close enough to her. Even if he did get close to her, I think he's too fast for her to catch him. Muff sat the rest of the afternoon looking out the window at him, her tail swishing really fast when he came to eat, or when he would look in the windows. I still haven't seen the female bird. It's been about 3 days now. I hope she's alright and just nesting. Perhaps I've just missed seeing her at the feeders. I hope she'll return soon. The weather was lousy again today, rainy and chilly. So maybe she's still on the nest protecting her eggs. The weather is not supposed to clear up until Tuesday or Wednesday. She's got to eat. She'll be back... I hope.
The male hummer has left the area. But the female is still with me. I think it's the same one from last year. She hasn't come to the feeders on quite the regular schedule she did. But then the flowers and trees are all blooming, so she probably doesn't need the feeders as much. I still love to watch her. I wonder if she'll bring her babies by when they can fly?
I now have about 5 hummers that come regularly. I can tell each one by their size and coloring/markings. I have two males and 3 females. They chase each other alot as they are very territorial. It seems that while a couple are chasing each other away, another sneaks in to the feeders. I am still amazed at how curious they are. I can go out on to the deck while they are there. They will fly very close to me and stop and stare at me, then go back to the feeders. They often hoover by the door and look in. I've a taken a few more pictures and will put them on this page if they turn out good. I never get tired of watching them, and I guess they don't tire of watching me either. LOL!!
Octboer 15, 2000. Well, the summer passed quietly as I watched my Hummers. They came to the feeders less and less frequently until they were gone... about October 5th. I left the feeders up hoping for some flybys... but haven't seen any. I'll take the feeders down in about two weeks, wash them and store them until next year. Hopefully they will all come back and bring some friends with them, too! Until next year, happy humming!
