Time for a new thread so our dial up friends can keep up. We came from here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/969448/
Who knows where our Hummingbird Adventures will take us next! The last thread was full of wonderful surprises, advice, and really exciting stories. Can't wait to see what this thread will bring!
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf
Before you all start going, why did she post that photo?
Well, I admire her tongue sticking out, and since I haven't lost my sense of humor, thought we should all laugh at ourselves. Especially when we take life too seriously. I mean when a bird is sticking out it's tongue at us, it is sort of humbling as well as funny. ^_^
Besides, she is a beauty!
Enjoy, contribute your stories, photos, and thoughts. That's why we keep this thread going.
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf
She can stick her tongue out at me anytime!!!
Here's one from today.
Another
Edit to say sorry it's so big. Still learning Picasa.
This message was edited Apr 6, 2009 8:07 PM
Those colors are so pretty.
Thanks sis, it's in the shade, so not very bright. But I can see it from the kitchen window.
Sally, is yours a rufous? I've always wanted to see one of those....
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rufous_Hummingbird.html
I'm not sure what this one is. The one I had before (no pics) was a rufus for sure. But he disappeared and this one took over. Maybe SW can tell.
Looks like a female Rufous. If you read the Details tab on that link, though, they say it is easy to confuse a female Rufous with an Allen's.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Allens_Hummingbird.html
That is such a good web site.
Sally,
You are joking right? Maybe, imapigeon can tell, but I am blind as a bat. I can see movement, and if they are still markings, but half the time I can't tell. Especially in the shade. Their feathers change colors, sometimes my Zoom's head is red and sometimes appears black. Usually while in the shade. I'm contemplating having to move my feeders to get better lighting. They'd probably get over it in a week. LOL!
Mostly I can tell Zoom because of his distinctive hum, and then I observe.
KC sent you a great link, and a useful one too.
I personally love your photos. I don't know how to use picasa either, but I guess I need to learn. She sure has her face buried in that feeder!
I wasn't able to get any hummer photos yesterday. I didn't even see any, they must be upset about the boys hacking, oops hoeing up my yard back there.
I'll go see if they decided to forgive us yet. Oh, yes, I forgot about the dogaster with the feeder hitting the pool too. No wonder they are mad.
LOL!
Keep up the good work Sally! ^_^
WIB,
SW
Here's another great site: http://www.mschloe.com/hummer/hummers.htm#tablelink
If you go to Facts and Information it explains a little about the color and a lot of other fun stuff. I knew that a lot of the color we see is provided by the light striking the feathers in a certain way. They don't give a source for the info, but it looks like they got it from a book.
Interesting tip for photographs: cover the holes you can't see from your camera perch with tape so they will eat from an angle better for photography. Did I say that clearly?
They also have good tips for ID-ing the different species.
Thanks KC, I'll be checking into it when I get a free moment.
I was able to get some photos of the usual suspects.
This appears to be Zippy, and if I'm not mistaken she has the tip of her tongue sticking out. Must be the theme for this thread. LOL!
Here she is perched on the Wisteria vines.
A different view.
Zoom, and you can see color, just not clearly. : (
An unusual view.
Look who popped in for a brief visit. I was starting to worry about our Sweetie Pie. I haven't seen the Trickster for a few days, so either he has moved on or is getting trickier.
Last one for today.
WIB,
SW
I will add pictures here very soon. I am never here anymore to even know if I have birds...something is drinking the sugar water...I know I hear an oriole in the mornings....waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy before I even get up...I go out and notice that something is eating the peanuts I leave out.....hopefully it's the jays and not the dogs.....so I will post photos when I can finally be here to witness all of this bird thievery.
(SW, I have a dog named Trixie...dh calls her "the Trickster."!!!!)
Great links sis, if I went by sounds I'd have to say Allen.
Check out this thread on Western Hummingbirds: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=6311124
Good pics of Rufous (I haven't finished yet, there are two parts so far).
Wow what a PHOTO!!!
I agree. Much better than anything I was able to get today. I'm going to tuck my head under my wing and go to sleep tonight and try again tomorrow. LOL!
Saw Zoom for two seconds. Saw Zippy. Saw two that I couldn't tell who they were, but were protecting different trees. Hmm.
WIB,
SW
The male was at the feeder by the gazebo this evening----and he stayed for several minutes. I'm convinced it's because he knew my camera was in the house....
And we're back to rain for a few days.
Great pics SW and Sally! I'm also looking forward to checking out all the hummer links :-).
The babies fledged yesterday! When I went to check on them they'd already left the nest. One was nowhere to be seen, and the other one was on a nearby branch. Here's a short clip of baby hummer takeoff:
http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt261/quique_2009/?action=view¤t=170.flv
sunng, do not despair. My hummingbird birds that fledged were gone for about 5 days and then returned everyday throughout the summer. If I was busy, they buzzed me as if to say "HELLO":.... I am holding my breath that they will return this season...I was heartbroken when they left but the joy I felt when they returned cannot be explained. I talked to them at least once a day and most times many more. These wonderful gifts from nature are Priceless.
sk, I know exactly how you feel. We have Anna's hummers year-round, so we're lucky that way, but I'm just THRILLED when "my" orioles return each year!!
Skwinter, that is so wonderful that they came back and spent the summer with you! I do miss the little babies, since I spent so much time out there watching their antics. Ima, when do your orioles show up, and how long do they stay?
sunny, they don't seem to stay all summer--it may get too hot here for them. Sticks in my mind that they seem to show up in March and leave by June or July. I suspect they may nest & breed here and when the babies are old enough to fly they get the heck out of town. Maybe they don't like the smell of garlic....LOL!
This message was edited Apr 10, 2009 10:37 AM
LOL too funny Ima!
I spent hours reading up on Hummingbird Id to try to find the difference between Allens and Rufous, and got it down to one of them has white tips on certain tail feathers (as if I could see them that well!), then I read on one site that they sometimes interbreed! At that point, I decided that for the couple of weeks the Rufous are passing through here on their way north, I don't care! They're all great entertainment! With the males, the easy difference is the Allens have green back and wings, while the Rufous have no green. Good luck with the females!
Carol
Sunny, our orioles stayed later last year - through August. Usually they arrive in early March and leave by the end of July. Obviously, the avocado trees don't bother them!
Carol, I found the same info on the Allen's/Rufous - experts can't even tell the females apart 'in the field.' We've never seen either here. :-(
I guess I pretty much don't care what they are, as long as they stay and I get to watch. LOL
Have any of you seen a Caliope Hummingbird? I've read that they mainly stay in the mountains. Since our county is surrounded by taller mountains, I guess we're included.
This is the second year that we've had a male and female arrive and they'll stay until it starts getting too warm for them.
You can easily tell the male from the Annas or Rufous' because they're the smallest hummer in the U.S. Also, they have noticeable stripes on their throat (gorget). The only way I can tell a female is by her smaller size.
Here's my male
Here's something we enjoy doing when it warms up around here. My husband sprinkles our small lawn (we keep it for our dogs) with the hose on a light shower and the hummers love taking their early morning baths in it. They come all the way up to the nozzle but haven't yet sat on his hand. I have photos where they'll also bath in the grass and in the wet bushes. Believe me, they'll add lots of laughs to your morning.
This is a favorite of mine where the Anna's is bathing in the water on the leaves.
Ducbucin, I can see your Anna in the last photo doing just what my dogs do on the carpet or grass at times. It's this little stretchin' out on the "flat" and rolling their heads back and forth as they scratch their chins on the surface. Not sure that makes sense, but that's the image I have in my mind as I look at your pic. Very unusual catch, Ducbucin. Great job.
Linda
Wow---fab photos!!!
Awesome shots ducbucln! :-)
Thank you, I could bore you to death with photos of all my hummers!
