Yesterday a hummer hovered right in front of my face for what seemed like 2 full minutes.. I slowly moved to make sure it knew i was alive. It continued to hover. After checking me out,it dashed onto the delphinium support,paused,looked at me and flew over the fence.
I was right next to the flowers it feeds at and it seemed to me it was saying "I know you"
What was really going on?
Anne
close encounters of the hummer kind
Hummingbirds are rather curious and will check you out. You didn't happen to be wearing red, did you, LOL? My hummingbirds love porterweed which I have planted right outside my front door. The other day I was leaving for work and there was one feeding and as I came out he made several laps around my head. I guess they think it's "their" territory and who is this strange animal coming through!
Melanie
lol no red clothes tho i read today that they don't really see red! curious sounds right and so does territorial.
so it was more like showing me his big muscles than saying thank you? ah well....
just glad he wasnt going kamakazi on me!
Thank you im sure its territorial.
Anne
I've read that about the red, too. I was wondering why I had so many hummingbirds in my garden since I really plant more for the butterflies. But the hummingbirds love my porterweed and come by every day to eat. I had read that hummingbirds are less attracted by color than by it just being an overall good location. So I guess once they find a good location they keep coming back and try to keep it clear of other critters. Funny thing though, the Zebra Longwings here love my porterweed as well, and they'll chase off other butterflies and even the hummingbirds!
Melanie
I dont know porterweed but im going to find some asap!
These fellows are habit forming! Im new to butterflys but i think i have 2 kinds. Scrub jays rule my yard followed by robbins.
A.
Welcome to the obsession! Porterweed is native to the southeast, but I'm not sure about West Coast plants. It comes in several colors but the native kind is blue. I get a lot of attention on the blue and the purple - whatever happens to be blooming more at the time.
mel ..this is funny!
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/hummingbird.html
anne
"Twinkie syndrome" - love it! I have to agree with using lots of native plants. I think it's sort of obvious to use the plants that birds and butterflies have been using for thousands of years. Have to agree on the sage, I hear "Black and Blue" is a good variety for hummingbirds. I just planted some lobelia cardinalis but it's not big enough to bloom. Can't wait to see what happens when it does.
My hummer loves the black and blue sage.
wren....does your hummer look at you ?
A.
No but I am usually not around the plants that they feed on.