Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Vol. 7

Hi Everyone, Thought we better start a new thread since the last one was getting long.

Heres one of my Hummers from today.

Here at a faded Monarda (Jacob Cline) bloom.

Last one for now.

I'm finally starting to see numbers of them around in the sky flying together.

nice monard and HB!

My Bee Balm (nearest the house) didn't return this year (??),but some in a lower area of my yard did, so the hummers still burry themselves deep into the blooms. Every day at least a few times they check each bloom on my hanging baskets just outside my pic window (don't think they ever skip a single blossum). I didn't put a feeder out this year due to the very aggressive nature of the male that decided he owned all the bird feeders in my yard, last year! (I couldnt believe it, that little bugger would even try to chase off a Flicker if it came near!) The poor little Chickadeeshad no chance to get seeds or suet.
I have a funny storry for you: A few years ago I had one that would buzz me and chatter if I ever dared sit 1st on the back deck without checking it's feeder. The first time : it kept coming in and out (close and then back away) around my face, just a chattering away, then it would leave for a few seconds. Well I finally realized that she(I think) was showing me an empty feeder, as she was flying over to the empty feeder and returning to get my attn repeatedly. I filled it quickly , realizing how smart it was to "tell" me about the situation!!

Wonderful photos, Pelle. Thank you.

Nice shots Pelle. Someone at work yesterday told me that the birds in the most Northern areas (Vermont,etc.) are already leaving and heading South. I guess everyone below will be seeing more birds as they move through.

Thanks guys!

Yes GP the migration south has started;I'll be sorry to see them go.

Beautiful start for the new thread Pelle, awesome flower and Hummer pics!

It was so hot here yesterday all the birds had their mouths open..poor things!

I sure hope next year will be a better year for viewing our litlle friends. This year has been such a let down after last year.

Wonderful pics Rose and nanny!

Its been extremely hot here too!

Few from this morning...

and 2

and a 3

nanny… um… pppppbbbttttt

:D

Nice ones nanny; I love seeing the mature males!

Here's an immature male at the Croftway Coral Princess Phygelius.

They love this plant. I have it in a pot because its an annual for my zone.

2 pics

#2

Love all of the pic. of the beautiful hummers! they are great.

Very nice Nanny and Pelle!

Here's a window shot of one of the feeders.

This poor male is wearing himself out with the heat and guarding!!

he needs to take a break!

he's too young to be so serious!

Here's a Juvie Male.

Here you can see the tiny dot of ruby at his throat.

Wow I love the feeder shot Rose! All of them are great!

Thanks Pelle...they just go a mile a minute all day long...no wonder they have to eat constantly!

Fanatstic!

In that last one, the juvie male is giving who the 'are you done yet' look!!

does anyone know approximately what size area any given male "claims" and "guards"? Also, do they usually allow the females to feed and only chase the males or do some claim the feeder "all for themselves?
I know what I have observed, but am curious about others experience and thoughts

Not sure how big of an area they will claim. Our little guy Ed thinks all 3 of our feeders are his. We have 2 feeders in front and 1 in the back. He will let the females drink from one the ones in front but chases them off the other 2. He chases all males from all of the feeders. We have 1/3 acre here.

Don't know if you have met Ed, he is our returning male and he is KING here! He loves my DH and hates me!!

This message was edited Jul 22, 2008 10:18 PM

How does he "hate" you, Nanny? Attacks? aimed Poo? Sassy?
I always love your posts. You must spent a lot of time following the birds.
But , for sure, keep it up!
Really though, how does Ed treat you and DH differently??

Love the shots of your hummers Pelle, I've seen them here in the monarda, didn't get a pic yet. I would have to move closer to it, because it way in the back of the yard. Is it a fushia in your hanging basket?
BirdieBlue, the hummers come and stand in front of the window, and stares at me when the feeders are empty, and give me a piece of it's mind. I've had Goldfinch do the same thing.LOL
Nanny yours looks so relax at the feeder. lovely shots.
Rose, he does look tired poor thing.

In the hostas

Yes, I had one also that would just chatter and scold away if a feeder was empty. the 1st time I did not understand and it kept zooming in and out at my face, tahen to the feeder. well, I finally got the message and giggled so much. It is amazing how they can communicate with us someimes.
I think Hummers are almost as smart as Poodles! (hehehe)

They're amazing creatures.

Hi burn, I suppose it is a fushia, the spanish name starts with that word.

Thank You!

I just saw 6 Hummingbirds zipping around so I'm getting more traffic here now. ^_^

This message was edited Jul 23, 2008 6:15 AM

Very nice Burn...I love that one with the Hostas!

Here's a few feeder pics!

Birdie, He will come up to the feeder, sit on his shepard hook or fly in very close to DH. I step out there and he is gone in a flash!! Though if I am out the right before dark he will come feed on the flowers. The shot higher up in the post is Ed at the Agastache right in front of the porch. It's like he KNOWS I cant' get a good shot now! LOL

He is just a PIP!

six Hummers, 2 flies!

Nany, funny.

Rosie, *sigh*… just beautiful!

These are way too dark but had to share...Ed doing the Happy Dance this morning! LOL