Hummingbird Adventures #2

I love how they pick their spot in a local plant and just hang out. Does your guy do the swivel-head, chattering thing while he sits there guarding his patch?

Sorry you can't make it - we'll be having another one later this spring, so watch the forum.

Oh yeh, he's chattering as I type. I'll keep my eye on the forum for the next RU.
Carol

I have hummers, too! They usually leave before I can grab the camera.

My feeder is opposite the screen in my window, and the pictures just don't come out that good. I'll try some, though.

smhgarden,
That is a beauty of a photo. I usually sit on my chair and wait for the little guys to make an appearance. Then I click away and hope that at least one photo will turn out well. I've taken to carrying my camera with me every time I leave the house. I'm addicted.
KC, try leaving a chair near the window (outside) for you to perch on! LOL!
They do get used to you, just move slow and be consistent about when you show up for your photo shoots.
It might help.
WIB,
SW

Oh those little hummers weren't happy with me today. Boy did they tell me off! Insisted on flying by and telling me that they weren't happy. She sat on her favorite perch.

She got brave and moved closer. Here she is in the wisteria.

Then the cat showed up and she went back to the tree.
So I quit for the day. Will try again tomorrow. Those boys won't do anything except chase each other and scold me. Must be mating season. LOL!
WIB
SW

SW, what did you do to get them pixxed off at you, girl?

Linda

Well, I just don't know. Maybe it was because they were scared of these guys. They were hanging around all morning.
WIB,
SW

Then these two showed up in the afternoon. I had the telephoto on and even cropped it in photo shop. They are mating. Sorry I couldn't get a better photo.
Peek-a-boo put in an appearance too, but by then I'd already quit for the day, so I can't blame her.
I'll try again later today, after I get Dr. appt.s out of the way.
How about the rest of you? Any better luck with the Hummers?
WIB,
SW

They were still kind of mad today, I even sang to them. Maybe it's the time change (Daylight savings). The only good photo was at an extreme distance today, and I was amazed that I got her photo. She blends in so well.
She did come and check me out but no scolding. For some reason, she just didn't want to feed while I was around today. I hope I didn't hurt her feelings. Didn't see the boys at all.
Tomorrow I'll be around more, and will try again.
WIB,
SW

SW, are those herons? WOW! Near your house? I'm so jealous!

If they're mating, girl, they must have the longest mating limbs ever! I've never seen wildlife mating take place at such a distance before. LOL, ROFL!

Linda, who is so frighteningly clever this evening

Unfortunately, the herons show up here a lot. We have water, and goldfish for food. I didn't actually see them mate and should have stated that they were courting. Lone Wolf said he saw them mating. I guess that is their equivalent to smoking a cigarette! LOL!
I don't usually see two at once, but do have one that is a too frequent visitor.
Now if my Hummer friends would just quit hiding or it would warm up a little, I'd get some better photos!
WIB,
SW

Didn't have time to take pictures of the little hummers, but they were out and investigating me. They seemed to wonder why I wasn't out back adoring them.
Well, I was getting ready for my first Mini RU. So I won't be posting any photos of hummers today or tomorrow. Please feel free to post yours though. ^_^
WIB,
SW

Hope everyone has a wonderful time at the RU!!

We had a grrrrreattt time! A little cloudy and cool, but the sun came out for a while in the afternoon. What a super bunch of people we have. Several new DG members came and added to our little family. The food was fantastic as always. One of these days, Ima, you really must join us. I still think some NoCal folks should have a party train down here and we can pick you all up at the depot! LOL

Ooooh, at the old UP station in downtown LA, with all the fabulous original Malibu tile......one of my favorite places!

Hummer update. On the last thread I'd asked for suggestions for names for our feathered visitors. The juvenile female we rescued is now officially to be known as Sweetie Pie, (Great suggestion!) Mom, liked that one a lot! ^_^
For the male, she decided Zoom would be most appropriate, and she calls the one with no spot or color around the neck Zippy.
I was able to get a few photos to share, but I got to tell you what happened. Evidently, Zoom and Zippy were pretty angry with me for not showing up for their photo shoot (such vain birds! LOL!), and while I was working out in the front yard, they decided to get in my face and chitter at me before chasing each other off. Don't know if you've been told off by two tiny birds lately, but I did find it amusing. I went out to check their feeder and discovered (Gasp!) it had been invaded by ants. I drew a circle of listerine down at the bottom of the feeder, and that seemed to please the hummers. While Zoom was living up to his name, and Zipper was hiding from Zoom, I did get a nice visit from Sweetie Pie.
Photos to follow. First a Zippy sighting.
WIB,
SW

Sweetie Pie, takes advantage of a chance to visit the feeder.

This is Sweetie Pie again, I recognize those throat markings!

Okay, is it just me, or do you see a yellow tail feather on this photo? I think it is Zippy again, but it might be Zoom, and maybe it's just a reflection from the feeder.

Last photo had the wrong name, it could have been Sweetie Pie, or Zoom. This seems to be Sweetie Pies favorite new perch. She likes the tree, but is coming closer and is now hanging out on the support wires for my Wisteria shade patch. She is really hard to see when she perches on the Wisteria.
Well, thats all for now. I have to get ready for my Dr. Appt. and I have a whole bunch of Iris' to plant today, that I carried home from the Mini RU at KCaper's. Had a great time, great food, got some great plants, and best of all, I got to meet some Great people in person!
WIB,
SW

What fun hummingbird adventures and great names! I found another hummingbird nest today...I'm so, so happy!

I am so happy for you, sunnyg! Is this a completely new nest, or did she rebuilt using the foundation of the old one? Looks like you've got a good view too! ^_^
I had to refill the feeder today. Someone sat three feet over my head and scolded me the whole time.

Cropped photo of the above. Judging from the markings I believe it is Zippy.

No red head? Is Zippy not an Anna's??

Different view of same Zippy, and I'm telling you I got an earful. Mostly sounded like clicking though.

i am confused too. I have three different hummers eating at SW's Restaurant. The one that we rescued had a small red spot on it's throat. The one we call Zoom (because he is so fast, and has a deeper hum), and this one we call Zippy. No discernable markings to help me out. It's a hummer though. Another photo. In this one Zippy is cropped and appears to have a slightly greenish patch under his beak.

Are those white tips on some of Zippy's tail feathers?

Getting a good drink!

Look Ma, no wings!

Love the wings on this one.

Enter stage left. Tried to fool me! Love the wings on this one too!

Another view of Zippy's back. Look at those tips on his tail feathers. They look white in this photo.

Last one for today. I'm sure I could've gotten more, but I got tired so I quit. I like this one because you can see the full spread of Zippy's wings.
If any one has a clue what kind of Hummer Zippy is, I'd appreciate the help. Zipper must be a girl, she chatters all the time, LOL! But the white tips on the ends of her tail feathers have me thrown. Too tired to figure it out tonight.
WIB,
SW

Oh, SW, what great pics and stories! And names? AWESOME, girl. I would never have thought of hummers hummering about your head and scolding you. Do they really hummer around you in the yard on the other side of the house? Now THAT's awesome. You sound like you're having a wonderful time.

And Sunnyg . . . that nest is out of this world stunning. There are TWO hummers in there! Two! WOW! What a treat to be so close to that. Are they in your yard? You lucky girl.

Linda

SW, great pics, as always :-)

Thanks for the comments on my new discovery, SW and Linda! This is a new nest in a new location...I can't believe it!
If you're interested, here's the story of the first hummingbird nest http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/950657/ and here's this new adventure: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/963526/

sunnyg, Twincol has better eyes than I do. Lovely to have caught two in the nest. I don't have any new photos today.
I had a really bad day yesterday, my darling Spirit Puppy, got a hold of some rat poison. I spent most of my day praying he'd make it through. Got to visit him at the vet's today. He is going to be okay, my wallet took a hard hit and some of DH's employees got a piece of my mind. Spirit will (keep praying) get to come home tomorrow.
While I was crying my eyeballs dry out in the gh, Zippy the chitterer, came in to keep me company. Her company did cheer me up. I saw two hummers together right at dusk tonight, maybe she has a boyfriend. He sounds like a rusty door hinge. Didn't sound Zoom. Didn't have my camera in hand so I missed getting photos. Tomorrow, I'll go out and stalk them.
Keep us posted as to what is going on your friends little nest, sunnyg! Will there be eggs?
By the way is anyone else having wasp problems yet? I think ours just hatched out and they are everywhere!
WIB,
SW

Shoot, I'm very sorry SW. I'm so glad Spirit is going to be okay...it's so awful when a beloved pet is sick.

I have actually discovered two hummingbird nests now...one has two babies that are close to fledging, and one I think has eggs.

Yep, I've noticed the wasps around again as well. For some reason they like to build nests in the chimney, and then fly into the house. Lovely huh. ;-)