2009 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

The new arrivals seem to be extra skitterish. I finally managed to get some halfway decent pics. The light was not right to show the red.

And another of the same bird.

Very good Frank! Congratulations!

Nice!! I can't wait for ours...

Wow! Nice pics! Mine will arrive hopefully in mid-to late April! GM

Ya'll need to start posting some pixs. I know we have some members from the south that should have them by now.

I sure thought I've have some by now. Last year I had one at the end of February! I finally hung my little one-port window feeder out in hope of enticing some to visit.

gorgeous pictures! havent seen any hummingbirds here yet

I'm bumping this up in case anyone else gets one soon.

I just got word from a lady who lives 30 miles south of me that she had several hummers chasing each other today. Does this mean the main migration has started?

Possibly. :-)

I saw one two weeks ago, he sat and fed and fed and fed from the feeder. Haven't seen one since, guess he was just 'passing' through? I called my girlfriend , who lives and breathes hummingbirds and asked if she had her feeders out yet. There are three of us who feed the little creatures, and I was the first to have one visit. I'm sure with all these warm long days we are having , they are here, just not coming in to feed at my feeders yet.
Last year I could nearly set my clock by their feeding times, but it is early yet here for that kind of 'meetings'. I love to watch them.

Frank, those are beautiful photos of your Hummers. DH and I need to get our feeder ready.

This female came by real late. She was taking advantage of the south wind and was in a hurry to get ahead of the approaching storm.

Congrats Frank!

Seventeen days between the first sightings of the male and the female.

Nice shot Frank!

That's exactly the time frame it's supposed to be; wonderful!

I wonder if this was a mated pair and they planned their flight plan before the male left.

Love the hummers Frank, May is when they appear here, can't wait.

Congrats! You got them allready! Don't have them here yet, But, At least I get to enjoy your photos till I do! Very Nice photos!

Cool shots Frank...congratulations!

Today I spotted a male and a female chasing each other. Neither were still long enough for a pic.

This male has been around for a few days.

Hummer at the neighbor's feeder.

Hummer at one of my feeders.

This afternoon I had a male and a female hummer. The female.

The male.

Another view of the male.

Thanks for your pics Frank! Hopefully more of us will be getting them very soon!

Thanks for sharring the photos, Hope to see some here soon!

IRIS and Pelle I hope everyone will get theirs at the right time. I think what has helped me is that several of my neighbors also have feeders and have had them several years. The hummers have learned to expect to find nectar here. I try to have feeders up a week before they are expected and keep them fresh until the first hard freeze. I know people both north and south of me who have feeders also. If you don't see them yet; don't become discouraged. My first year I only saw one in the spring and he looked surprised to find a feeder here. That fall he must have told his young ones about all the stops. I guess it is something that increases with each successful hatching. Just keep the feeders up and fresh year after year and they will come.

f-chisolm, Not discouraged here, Just getting impatient lol, Had them here last year, I'm sure they will be back. They have been spotted all around my area ( According to the map) Just haven't seen them at my place yet, So I'll watch your photos, Maybe soon, I'll be able to get some more photos of my own.
Here's some photo's from last year ....
http://www.pbase.com/irislynx/hummingbirds

Beautiful pics Iris!

I'm not discouraged either. I am anxious to see them. :-)

Nice Pix Frank, and lovely collection, iris. I remember that one in the rain, it's my favorite of yours. http://www.pbase.com/irislynx/image/107758352

I'm anxious for spring in general. It's 36 and windy this morning. NOTHING is blooming here but scilla and crocus and nothing is in the stores yet. So I think that they best stay down south for a while.

Thanks pelletory and Mrs_Ed! Poor little guys will sit right out there in the rain and get soaked, Got to guard there feeders!
I still haven't seen any yet, But, If I remember right, They usually are here when the clematis bloom, And the clematis are all budded up now, so, Hopefully, The Little Jewels will be here soon!

I don't have any yet but here's a pic from last summer:

Here's another one w/ him sitting on our fence. He would sit there until another hummingbird came along then he'd chase them away from "his" feeder! Sorry the pictures aren't as nice as the beautiful ones posted above. I'm using a sony cybershot and it's pretty limited!!

I enjoyed your pics saanansandy! Looks like he's really watching what your doing in the first pic!

Thanks IRIS! I can't wait until they arrive this year. I had to set up additional feeders because he guarded it so fiercely!