Hummers 2019

[Carol Dee]

Thanks Anna, Wish I was there @SweetMissDaisy

 

[flowerbug]

another plant that hummingbirds adore when it flowers are the bright red varieties of crocosmia. we have them in the same garden with the red bee balm so when it blooms they're zooming around there. always fun to watch.

 

[thistlebloom]

Whoa! I'm sitting out here on the patio and a Rufous male just got chased away from the kitchen window feeder! I spoke too soon about them not hanging around here mid-season.

I also saw something neat earlier today. I was washing dishes and watching the hummers through the window. I had the lawn sprinkler on and a Broadtail female drank from the feeder then hovered about a foot off the lawn getting sprinkled. There was a section of hose that was curled up about half a foot above the lawn and she perched on it, spreading her wings out, beak pointing up, taking a little shower. I watched her through the binoculars for several minutes. I couldn't believe how long she stayed there.

 

[flowerbug]

Whoa! I'm sitting out here on the patio and a Rufous male just got chased away from the kitchen window feeder! I spoke too soon about them not hanging around here mid-season.

I also saw something neat earlier today. I was washing dishes and watching the hummers through the window. I had the lawn sprinkler on and a Broadtail female drank from the feeder then hovered about a foot off the lawn getting sprinkled. There was a section of hose that was curled up about half a foot above the lawn and she perched on it, spreading her wings out, beak pointing up, taking a little shower. I watched her through the binoculars for several minutes. I couldn't believe how long she stayed there.

i've had them following my spray when i've been out watering like they were taking a shower or getting a drink, but for quite some time because i was able to tell Mom about it and she was able to walk over from where she was and watch for a while too. maybe they liked it because it was cooler too... dunno. but it would have been great to have a super high speed movie of it to be able to see what they were doing.

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

That’s so fun!!! We have a pond that has a waterfall and they take baths in the splash, and even perch on the rocks. I love watching that! Today while I planted flowers at the coop I had one that kept hanging around me, waiting, watching.... she would perch on the little cable for the strand of lights on the front of the coop.

 

[ninnymary]

i've had them following my spray when i've been out watering like they were taking a shower or getting a drink, but for quite some time because i was able to tell Mom about it and she was able to walk over from where she was and watch for a while too. maybe they liked it because it was cooler too... dunno. but it would have been great to have a super high speed movie of it to be able to see what they were doing.

Mine follow me around when I'm watering also. They stand under the soft spray forever. I once had one land on my finger. Everybody just loves hummingbirds.

Mary

 

[HomesteaderWife]

(pardon the watermark as I didn't have the photo on hand but I dug it up from my Shutterstock)

This female Ruby-Throat was the boss of the front porch feeder until about three days ago when a male showed up and took over. (Occasionally they share, but normally he runs the feeder now!)

 

[HomesteaderWife]

The hummers are full force here in Central Alabama. Saw an Anna's for the first time a few weeks back and it blew my mind! We usually only see Rubys. I've got four feeders and it's almost not enough! They're fussing with each other over who is boss of the feeder. They're forming pairs though, as the male that runs the porch feeder brought his girlfriend over for "dinner" a few evenings ago and they sat side by side enjoying the nectar. I ended up making a jar feeder for the hummers living out in the woods - they'll come get your attention if you walk the trail and sit right in sight. Lots of great photo opportunities.

How are your hummers doing across the states? Would love to see more photos!

 

[flowerbug]

another plant that hummingbirds adore when it flowers are the bright red varieties of crocosmia. we have them in the same garden with the red bee balm so when it blooms they're zooming around there. always fun to watch.

Mom just told me the deer are eating the flowers off these this year. first time they've ever done that...

 

[thistlebloom]

Yep, they aren't safe in the gardens I've planted them in either. I can't grow these at home, they are only marginally hardy and after a hard winter they don't come back.

My husband was hand watering a big lawn patch we put in and two female hummers came to play in the spray. I was standing next to him and these two little girls were no more than inches from us. Very special .