This guy was actively feeding on my necklace pod this evening...there is something very satisfying about seeing a hummer feeding on a plant that I grew from seed a couple of years ago!
The lighting was a little tough, but here he is.
Russell
Wow, great pictures! I've thought about growing Necklace Pod but I never thought about it attracting hummers. I may have to make some room in the garden for it.
Melanie
Woo hoo!!
Love your pictures. So glad they are on their way back.
Still sparse, but I have one who visits most days. He has the place to himself! Hope to see more soon.
Russell
That is great Russell
Ooooohhhh, Huuuummmmmmingbirds, please come to my feeders; We have fresh nectar, plenty of small delicious insects, and an assortment of perches for preening and divebombing. The trees are leafed out now, so you can hide in the shade and have privacy for your nest. Come on guys& gals, there's a few of your favorite plants already in bloom, and more to flower soon. What's the hold up?
Ditto.
Still waiting ... tap ... tap ... tap ... tap ...
Fabulous photos! Thanks for sharing.
Just saw one outside nectaring on duranta erecta...the wind is blowing hard enough to send them far north of here!
Russell
That wind in TX must have sent the hummers up, because there have been sightings today in both Knoxville and Nashville. They are on the way!!!! Picture Snoopy doing the happy dance..... thats me. Yippeee!
Russell-
Great photos! I'm envious because Idon't see any hummers at my feeders until mid summer.
Thanks Elija. I love it when they arrive in large groups. They are so territorial. I have even seen them chase bees out of my garden, bumping the large bees in the rear with their beaks. I have a few visitors this spring, but nothing like we had in the fall. I saw a couple this morning nectaring on trumpet vine and king's mantle. It should be a good day for them today.
Russell
This one was hanging around the duranta and actually cooperated for the picture!
Russell
Wow, super shots. ^_^
Great shots! I've got duranta, and I bought necklace pod (based on this post) at the last native plant sale I went to, so I should be good to go!
Melanie
Glad you are enjoying them. Melanie, I tried something different with the necklace pod this year. Instead of allowing them to produce seeds, I cut the blooms off before they went to seed and they are now beginning to bloom again! Some even made 2 blooms where I cut one off. I hope you all begin seeing some of these visitors soon. They are so entertaining.
Enjoy the weekend. We are having some great weather in South Texas after some amazing rain and hail storms yesterday and Monday.
Russell
Those are AmaZING shots! Both bird and plant are lovely. Alas, no hummers in my yard yet. I am ready anytime for them. Anytime......hurry hummers!
Both sets of pictures posted of the hummers and plants are stunning, just beautiful. Annette
You have some fantastic pictures!! What kind of camera do you have?
Thanks! I have a Canon 40 D with a 28-135mm lens. I think the real secret is to take LOTS of pictures and hope for a good one or two. Fast shutter speed is the key for hummingbirds. I took these photos at 1/2500-1/4000 of a second with ISO of 800. Both sets of images are cropped down to get that closeup look. To get a true closeup for a full framed image, you would probably need a 300mm lens. It is a lot of fun to sit and wait for the little hummers to position themselves in just the right spot for a picture!
I hope you all get some visitors up north soon.
Russell
Mixed up a new batch of sugar water this afternoon - columbine is just ready to open and I hope to see some hummers soon!
