Sunday, August 26, 2007

hummingbird frenzy



This doesn't quite capture what's been happening over the past week or so at the feeders on our deck. We had put up two of these feeders at the beginning of the summer and received a few visitors, who would invariably drive each other away from the feeder as soon as one started to eat.

Gradually, we began to see more and more hummers, and they appeared to be all females, vying for ownership of each feeder. One would sit nearby, watching, and as soon as another started to feed, would chase it off with a display of tail feathers.

As even more birds came around, the feeder ownership was abandoned for ownership if the individual "flower" stations. That's when the males started to come around regularly.

It's been so hot here (over 100 F for over a week) I wonder if that is the reason we are getting about 15 to 20 birds coming around, all at the same time! It's quite a show.

* * *

L had a pretty good first week; all teachers acceptable, classmates good. New cafeteria/student center wreaking havoc with lunchtime, though. They have to get in and out really quickly. I'm liking the time back to getting work done, with no, "what's for lunch, anyway?" to add to the to-do list.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

How gorgeous is that? We don't have such things visiting us, so thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a great photo. I've never seen a humming bird close up before - they must be amazing to watch.

teaorwine said...

Amazing little creatures, they are.

Anonymous said...

A lovely photo! Birds are sooooo hard to photograph!

Shammickite said...

I saw one humming bird on my daffodils back in the spring, so I immediately rushed out and bought a hummingbird feeder. Cooked up some sugar syrup, filled it up and waited.... and waited....
I didn't see any all summer!
Then just recently I saw one hummingbird at the feeder, and then today I saw one on some tall yellow flowers in the garden, don't know their name.
Maybe there will be more before the fall arrives, I hope so! That feeder cost me $25.00!!!!

Anonymous said...

You lucky things they are so delightful. We feed the birds at Willow House and the garden is usually full of bird activity, lovely to watch.

Linda said...

My parents found a tiny little hummingbird nest with two little eggs in it. They got to see the two babies after they hatched.It was high above our heads and you could see the two little beaks sticking out over the edge of the nest. They seem pretty aggressive, don't they?

lorenzothellama said...

It would be nice to have just a little of your warmth here! I would love to see a humming bird!

How is your friend doing?
Lorenzo?

deedee said...

Humming birds bring back sweet memories of my grandmother :)

I am looking forward to a little break from the "what's for lunch" question.

Anonymous said...

That's cheating! [to add what's for lunch to a 'to do' list, just so that you have have the pleasure of crossing it off!]
Cheers

Anonymous said...

Now how in the world do you know if they are female? We have the same type of feeder on our front porch. Male, female... they all look the same to me...

herhimnbryn said...

What a jewel of an image tt. Thankyou for posting it.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Our hummingbirds have been busy too. I was out side reading yesterday and kept getting Whooshed.
They are fun to waich=D