2010 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Vol. 9

Hack: "Just my luck, it hasn't rained here for weeks and now when I'd like some bright sunny days . . . oh, well."

Isn't that the way it always is? We need rain too. But it'd going to be really sunny and beautiful this week. Of course this is the week that I have to work overtime to cover someone's vacation. No sneaking in yard work this week!!!

I have a couple of birds at least this morning. If past years is any indication, I should only have about 10 more days to go at seeing them. :( It was a good migration season though.

Well the rain missed up completely so still nice & crispy here! They said maybe a chance tonight into tomorrow.....

Nice shot Missy! We still have 2-3 around. They are getting little potbellies but seen in no hurry yet. We did dip into the 40's last night out here.

Love the little potbellies. Seems like the later in the season, the bigger they get! I'm so happy that they are coming to the feeders by the window. This allows me to see how long they are staying (if I can tell them apart). Yesterday a female was at the front all day, but today it's a juvie male.

I am just so happy you have hummers to watch!!

This little juvie male is ruler of the front feeder right now....taken last night.

This message was edited Sep 28, 2010 12:39 PM

Cute!!

Oh well I always have them in the fall. I'd like to get them in the summer and spring too! But I had better pass through activity this summer than ever before, so there's always hope!

Unfortunately I've been a bit tied up with work and stuff that I haven't gotten any pix.

Nice pic nanny, I saw mine Monday morning

I saw her fly from the feeder out to the shrubs about 25 yards away.

Hack

Nice one Hack!

I had a Hummingbird here late yesterday.

On Thursday we had 2. One in back....which left sometime during the day.

This message was edited Oct 2, 2010 11:50 AM

and one in the front. He was still here Firday morning. But when we returned from shopping in the afternoon. He was nowhwere to be seen and never showed up in the evening. So I am now hummerless. :(

I will be leaving 2 feeders out for now for any passing thru during migration.

My last hummer pic.....

"Your last hummer pic" - kinda sad.

I haven't seen any in 2 days.

Hack

Me neither! We're going to miss those little friends until next year. :((

Got my first Hummingbird of the fall here today. After the Firespike.

Firespike again.

Now has moved on to the Firebush.

Congrats GP!

Thanks. I moved to several feet from the Firespike, hoping for a closer shot when she returned. Well, when she came back, she floated in front of me for a second (no time for a shot), decided she did not like me so close and took off....so I moved back up to the house.

Nice GP!

Hi people, Just want to know if I can take in the feeders. I haven't seen a hummer here for ten days or so. I'm in the Hudson Valley, NY

You can take them in if you want, but some us like to leave them out for any that might be migrating thru. I leave one feeder out until at least mid-November.

This message was edited Oct 6, 2010 10:25 AM

Haven't seen any here in about a week.... :(

What I assume was a male Ruby-throat early yesterday.

we still have the Annas here in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. Think they are here for the Winter, yes we are pretty lucky!

This message was edited Oct 8, 2010 12:50 PM

That must be so nice to have hummers in the winter!

Hummers still around. I just haven't been able to get any good photos of them. Yesterday, a hummer went after what I believe was a white-eyed vireo. Chased it into other yards. It kept coming back and the hummer would go after it again. Made me pretty mad 'cause I wanted a picture of that vireo!

That's a shame. They are tenacious. :-) Cute pic Elphaba!

I'm so glad a few of you are still seeing some hummers.

Glad to know someone still has hummers!

None here since the first cool weather passed through a week ago.

Still hummers here, but not nearly as many. I was looking at this milkweed and thinking that I should cut it down when this hummer flew up to it. Guess I'll leave it alone. It has two 5 ft tall sticks with leaves and flowers just at the very top, and it's an aphid magnet. Butterflies do love it though.

Good one Elphaba!

Nice photo!! I grew milkweed last year and hated all the aphids it drew in so didn't plant any this year!

Aphids and Milkweed bugs here.....if it were not such a favorite of Monarchs, I would never grow it. I have never seen a Hummingbird go after it, though.

I'm happy to see, some have reached the warmer climate. GP your garden looks very inviting with those blooms.
Elphaba, I'm glad you didn't cut your milkweed down.

I saw a Ruby-throated hummer on Oct 6. I thought they were all gone. I posted its pic in the Awful pics thread. It was a lousy pic. If you look, you'll see why - durn flowers.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1115853/ (Reply #111)

Hack

This message was edited Oct 10, 2010 1:31 PM

Nanny, I'm with you about the milkweed. I'm not planting it again. I have a feeling it won't die though and I've already had a seedling come up.

GP, I grew it for the monarchs too, and they do love it and so do the Queens, but I have so many birds in the yard that none of the cats survived. Basically, they were just bird food. I feel kind of guilty about luring butterflies just so they and their offspring can be eaten.

Saw a hummmer today in my backyard!

I just got back from Val Verde County, TX, where the Monarchs were roosting and flying in the thousands. Absolutely awe-inspiring! It's really difficult to take a photo that can even come close to representing the experience of being surrounded by that many monarchs.

Wow that is very cool Missy!

That would be so outrageous to see!!

I have 2 hummers still here in Va. I just made a new batch of necter but I'm not sure if I should continue or if they will soon be gone. I understand some stick around but our temps have been in the high 80s during the day and around 45 to 50 at night. Someone said I could bring the necter inside during the night when it's cold and put it back out randomly in the day so it's warm - if they stick around.

Suggestions?
Kathy

I just refreshed my feeder today. Our temps have been about the same as yours. Once we get close to freezing overnight, I will bring it and place back out in the mornings until mid-November.