Any Hummingbird Watchers Out There?

luvmygoats

Clickchick - I have spent the winter watching hummers and eagle cams with an occas. owl in there for good measure. Fascinated with the eagles (mostly mom) covered in snow incubating eggs. Decorah IA eaglets about to branch any day - move out to branch during day and usually return to nest at night. Eagles4Kids had nest drama in breeding season and no eggs but expecting great things from them. Last day today for their cam since nothing happening eaglet wise. Not sure if social stream will continue, by the conv. there today seems not but I thought it did. These are my 2 other favs.

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

http://www.eagles4kids.com/two-cams-with-chat/

http://eagleholic.wordpress.com/bald-eagle-cams-20...

Last is list of eagle cams.

I think I found one answer to my wasp question. Read that feeders in full sun attract more wasps. I put up the new feeder late afternoon full west sun and it's the one with the wasps. The older feeder is under porch eave, has morning east sun and more protected and has fewer wasps. I checked out the bee guards. I'll have to see what brand of feeder I have. Don't think it's the Perky Pet but I love the one with the flowers that protrude. I did read that the feeder with the flat yellow flowers on base is one of the worst for bees and mine are very similar. Bees just don't seem to bother it and we sure have them. Neighbor has a hive. I also have a rosemary bush that is just running over with them. These are just the standard WalMart or Lowe's clear container/red base kind - nuttin' fancy. DH has a tendency to run into them (yuck) but also hazard for knocking them off so cheapy kind only here.

Anonymous

Thanks for the great links, luv! I could watch those for hours Sounds like you've got the wasp problem figured out.

I got my first hummer in the mimosa tree today (first of the season, anyway

Anonymous

Got a couple more in the mimosa. I don't seem to be getting any red-necked beauties yet. I'm sneaking in a butterfly, too

Teka

Female hummer?

*monarch butterfly*

Anonymous

Thanks for the ID, Teka! I didn't know that the females have less color. Makes sense, though

SoCalLisa

today

dwill

Every spring, I place large baskets of colorful flowers and hummingbird feeders around my patio.  This evening, I saw the first one for the season. I was so excited.   This one had a darker color than the others I have seen.   I wanted to take a picture but by the time I got my camera, it was gone. It came back a few times but each time it took off before I could get the camera situated.  While I waited, I saw Robins, and Cardinals and I have this little song bird that loves to visit my patio.  I want to start taking pictures and start finding out the name of other birds. Gosh, I really love watching birds and butterflies.  I try to plant the flowers and trees to attract them.  My 33 year old son said I am like a child watching and getting excited about the birds.  I think it makes him smile and forget that I am sick when he sees the joy in my face.  Anyone have any ideas of how to take pictures and keep records of what is in my back yard, please tell me.  Glad to be part of this thread.

SoCalLisa

Teka

Hi dwill,

I noticed that you also joined the *Bird Watching Club* thread. Welcome!

Summer birds and butterflies are an enjoyable break from the frigid Winters in the North Country.

I take lousy photos, but will try to get at least 1 hummer photo.

SoCalLisa

SoCalLisa

my daughter in law gave me a hummingbird swing.  I am amazed that one of my hummers actually uses it. 

Teka

I'll now look for a hummer swing!

SoCalLisa

Just now

Teka

Such a cute hummer!  

SoCalLisa

Giving me the eye

Teka

Perching on the hummer swing?

SoCalLisa

yes. He really likes it

Teka

I got to find a hummer swing!

Blessings2011

Wow - I Googled "Hummingbird Swing" and some of them, like the copper-wire-and-red-bead ones, look like something I could make myself! What a neat project, especially if it works!

SoCalLisa

It took them a while to find it. I put it about 3 feet from the feeder

SoCalLisa

OK we have a new hummer in my yard..do you think this is a Rufous hummingbird?

Teka

No!

This evening, will try to identify the hummer by looking at on-line photos.

Blessings2011

Lisa - NO, I think that is the Elusive Ginger Hummingbird!!! 

Actually, Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) looks like this:

Or an Allen's Hummingbird looks like this:

and both of them can be found in Southern California.

Blessings2011

My hummer story: It's been hot here. REALLY hot - like 108 on Thursday, and 107 yesterday.

Every evening after dinner, DH and I go out to give the thirsty plants a wee drink. He does the front yard; I do the back yard.

I was using the hose with an adjustable spray, and when I sprayed the Japanese Maple, I noticed two hummers flying out of the tree.

Feeling bad, I thought I had disturbed them. Then I realized they were flying in and out of the spray, on purpose!!!

I made the spray as fine as possible and just let it run while those little critters flew around and around and played in the mist! It was so much fun to watch, and of course, I didn't have my camera!

Teka

Hummers felt refreshed.

SoCalLisa

SoCalLisa

This little guy is waiting his turn..

Teka

Cute hummer!!

SoCalLisa

I was sitting out in the back yard watching this guy rule the feeder...watch out!

SoCalLisa