2011 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Vol. 3

Not here either, just the usual female and perhaps her one baby. When I saw more than 3-4 at a time, that was when the "visitors" were present during their migration route, I think. Those males have came, and left on two occassions last two weekends as I've noticed.

This isn't at all normal for me either. Generally by this time we have very few and they're completely gone by the first week in October. Of course, the weather hasn't been all that normal, either. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

I have more this migration than last year too. I have at least three every day, which is huge for me. Lots of zipping by too. oh, AND, the migration started earlier for me this year. SO I guess my plan of adding more flowers may be working.

Here was a brief share, through the kitchen window.

And one guarding the back feeder and flowers there abouts…

So nice that your plan has paid off and the word may be getting out to stop at your house!

This is our guest male we had last week. Think the girls are glad he left!! lol

All my male guests have left, and two females took resident here for the duration. :))

thanks Nanny. I am for sure a stop on the migration highway.

In case you don't know about it, there is a site where you can report your sitings of hummers going south. (Even though the site is called Journey North!) http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Gallery.html You need to register to report. Just pick hummingbird from the drop down list. I found it looking for a map to see if Monarchs were in my area. I haven't seen any this year.

I have one female guard hummer today. Yesterday I had a male and a female. They are usually gone from here by 1st week in October.

I'm so amazed when y'all get more than one bird at a feeder. Great captures!

Tons of hummers here. Went to Sheldon Lake today and there was one spot near the education building with lots of turks cap. There must have been a dozen hummers fighting over it. If it weren't for people putting out feeders and watering plants, I think many if not most of the hummers would die this year before making it south. The drought is so bad. There's just nothing out there for them.

What a dreadful situation, Elphaba.

Nice shots all! My last post in the thread for the year...last hummers I seen were on the 21st. However this past Sunday me and a few other birder's watched one flying around about 50 yards out on the lake...pretty sure it was catching gnats. See you on the thread in early May.

The girls are getting their little potbellies...so they won't be here much longer. :(

Glad you have some nanny.
I haven't had one here in two days now.

Oh Nan, that's such sweet pix of one. That's new to me. I didn't know they build up their reserve for the long journey. But, they do! I still have maybe two in the garden this morning.

This one left 3 days ago. I think this one will be my last for the season too.

What a lovely picture burn. You don't often see them in fall color. I still have a couple flying around here. Won't be much longer though.

Made our weekly trip to Baltimore today. Was surprised to see several hummingbirds at my Mother in law's feeder. Passers through, no doubt. Of course I took my camera.

One more-- same bird

Here is one taken among the leaves of the Japanese maple.

Same bird, a little more color

Sigh. It seems that the vast majority of Hummers have now left as of Thursday. My male RTHB, who has stoutly defended his feeder by my patio, has left. The past several weeks have been wonderful, watching the little critters zip across the yard and chase each other at breakneck speeds. There were so many!! Soon they will all be gone. As with every year, my solice is that I will plan and implement a more abundant Hummingbird garden for next year. Bottlebrush is already planted, I'm thinking some more citrus for early spring blossoms, and I may overwinter a few plants in pots for early spring blooms. Does anyone else have garden plans?

Cousin Dave and Burn, those shots are lovely. Mine are still here. gazergirl, my garden planting has been a success this year. DH installed a fenced in area to our side yard, there along the fence, I'm planning to plant some groudnuts vines for their pea-like pinkish blossoms for the hummingbirds, and the edible nuts for me of course. Also some cypress vines for late season blooms. Those are blooming brilliantly in my neighbors' garden. I kept telling myself I needed to replant them but haven't done so in early spring.

Lovely images... love those little imps.

After 3 days of no sightings I just saw one out in the backyard. Earlier I had completely cleaned both my feeders and put fresh sugar water in one. I'll just have 1 feeder out from now on.

Great shots Dave and burn!

Great photos Nan, Burn and Dave. Sorry to hear some of you are losing your little friends.

Just two tubby females hanging around. Best season ever for my hummers. I miss them already. It is turning cool tonight in Carolina so I know they will be heading out. It makes me sad to think that it might be the last time I see them for the year. Sorry no pics.

I share the same feeling with you MaryEllen, temp. is predicted to be in the 40'ish over the weekend during the night. I saw my two today, but may not be much longer.... sniff sniff.

Thanks Marna, Kim.

Dave super shots!!!

This one is so pudgy and cute. Strange maybe, but I do not hate seeing them leave like I used to at all. Nice to have a break I think from all the maintenance that the hummers and orioles take! Back to simple care of seed and suet for my friends.

Wow, that IS a full belly. Still some action here. I'll try and unload the camera card today.

She's just tooooo cute, Nan. Mrs. Ed. I haven't seen any of mine this morning. :((

I think a couple of ours may have left ...but still have a couple here. I was afraid that one just might pop yesterday! lol

LOL! Pop!

Well I finally unloaded a few weeks of images. No HBs today, so here are a few pictures taken previously.

9/27

It was a bit chilly when I took that one!

Next day, 9/28. You can see these feather markings. Not sure what's going on there, but it made it easy to tell it was the same bird.

And lastly one from 9/30

A distance pic. but I was so pleased that I have had two visitors today. I knew they're are not the usual 'residents' I've had for they didn't "buzz" me when I was out in the garden like the 'residents' used too. lol

My regulars seem to have all left but I had a visitor about 7pm last night and one very tiny hummer this morning!

I had one here yesterday. It's warmer here the next few days so I'm sure we'll see some. They don't seem to be using the feeder at all just the Honeysuckle etc.

Nothing since 10/1. :(

I still had one today around today.