Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Vol. 3

Congratulations Eleanor!!!!!

Congrats Eleanor!

I bought my two Fushia hanging baskets sunday and I had my feeders out since last week.

Well this morning when I walked out of my bedroom door I heard a knock and looked out the back window and who was eating at the window feeder?

you got it my male hummer he is back Yippppeeeee

My baltimore orioles showed up the too. eating the oranges like crazy

Amos

Congratulations Amos!!!

Wonderfu Amos...you have lots to look forward to...they are both such fun birds!

My orioles have yet to touch the oranges...eating jelly though...now if I can get the cabirds to not be such piggies with the jelly!

We have the tiniest little female hummer hanging around. I have to get a pic of her yet though.

Nanny...How is your little female doing? They are so sweet and don't seem to squabble with each other like the males do. The females here eat together all the time.

When I returned from town today I had Hummers everywhere...at least 9 that I could count in the back yard. I had just stepped out of my car and couldn't help but see and hear all the commotion. We have had at least 5 for the past week but I guess more showed up today. Later in the day I noticed several different males at their perch "guarding" their feeder. One of the things I have noticed since the Hummers have arrived is that the males spend as much time guarding as they do feeding.

Here are some pics taken as one of the males was perched in his usual spot.

he knows I'm watching him,

waving off an intruder,

he is serious about defending his turf,

but he takes time to do a little preening!

We have several well behaved females,

they're more calm than the males,

until they hear the click of the camera. See the little rain drop on her beak!

The pics of the hummers are wonderful! Eleanor

Excellent shots Rose!!! Wow 9 Hummers; thats great!

Thanks Eleanor and Pelle, they are entertaining!

NINE! NINE!!!!

*jealously crosses arms and pouts*

LOL Mrs. Ed! I have four of the cutest little females eating together on the front porch! The little males are "defending" on their favorite perch!

Sounds like the little ladies have been to finishing school! Show me your muscles guys!

I've seen hummers chase other birds away from seed feeders. I don't really know why! I wonder if they will come lick up some juice from the oranges I have out?

Hey Rose, OP's post makes me think… How far do you have your HB feeders from the others? In the back yard, I've got one on it's own, but another over by my window — thus near the seed feeders. The first two I had did not seem to mind the others though.

I didn't see our little girl yesterday, but I was busy cleaning house and stuff so I just may have missed her.

OP...I observed a Hummer getting nectar from an orange this morning. First time I've ever seen that!

Mrs. Ed...The seed feeders are probably 12-15 feet away from the hummer feeders. The hummers and seed eaters seem to get along allright, at least I haven't seen any wars going on!!

Thanks rose. I'll keep an eye out since I just put a fresh orange out.

I just have to share this story with someone and this seems just the right place.

Yesterday I was watering in two new plants in a brand new flower bed I just made. While I was waiting for the water to drain aound them I decided to water a newer shrub next to the bed and all of a sudden I looked and I saw a ruby throated come to the mist outside of the spray.
My first thought was he was going around to the tiny wild flowers that just bloomed and eating, then I reliazed that he was bathing. I was so delighted that the shrub was more than watered but I would have kept the water going forever. He sat down on the freshly tilled dirt and rolled with his wing up in the air on one side and then put up the other wing up and puffed up his top head feathers and just sat there for the longest time enjoying his bath.
I told my hubby that he must be getting prettied up for his female, I'm still waiting to see the females. I have had the males here for a few days now.
Any ways I looked at this as a God moment, it was pretty special

Amos

Thats wonderful Amos!

Another good testimony for a water mister! Now if I could only get the hummingbirds to come and stay!

Beautiful story! Thanks.

That is special! I tried to entice mine last summer with no luck!

That is so sweet, Amos. I know over the years with kids playing in a sprinkler, they would briefly sweep thru, hovering just a bit and then gone! So fun to have them in the garden.

How sweet Amos...now I know I need a mister for the little ones!! Thanks for sharing!

I took a window shot this morning of the 9 Hummers! Would love to take one outside but I don't think that will happen based on the location of the feeder!

AHHHHH, you are now the crazy hummingbird lady! I'm so jealous. I don't even have ONE.

Nice job!

Wow! You got a picture of all nine of them together!!! That is incredible!

Great job Rose! Mark me No.2 jealous! :-))))

Wow! I'm living in the wrong state!

LOL....But remember...someone has to feed these little ones!! Here is another window shot showing what I believe is one male and six females. Notice...no fighting and everyone is eating. Good birds!! Thank you also for your comments!

I call this "Hummer Harem"!!

Thats great Rose!

Just love the pics of the hummers!
Great job.
Man do you have the hummers.
I buy my sugar when it is on sale. Looks like you need lot's of sugar.

Amos

Okay, so what am I doing wrong? I've only seen two pass through. Not enough natural plants? I'm in town?

And I've always wondered why I don't have hummers much through the summer, but tons in the fall migration. I've planted a whole bunch of new plants this year in hopes of attracting them in summer.

Besides having alot of the plants they love theirs not much else you can do. Keep at it and I'm sure you'll be rewarded! I know mine nest somewhere near me as I see so many females and juveniles during the summer.

Okay, thanks! It seems to me that I read somewhere that it might take up to 5 years to establish hummingbird as regulars.

I forgot to tell you pelle, that I found that black and blue salvia and bought one plant! Now I can collect seeds for next year!