Hummingbird Haven
By Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
United States
July 6, 2008 9:46am CST
I've had this hummingbird feeder outside of my window for a while now and this one little fella stops by frequently, but never long enough or me to grab a shot of him.
Since the sugar water can sour, I try to change it at least once a week, but it still doesn't seem to be enough to keep him drinking for any length of time.
I just changed it this morning and within an hour my little friend showed up and he drank his fill and even came back for a few more sips. I was able to snatch two pictures of him, that you can see here.
He is not one of the really bright colored ones, but is still pretty nonetheless. He actually perched here for several seconds without flapping his wings, but you can see them in the second photo.
Do you have hummingbirds in your area? Do you have a feeder for them?
4 people like this
11 responses
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Hi my friend,
Very pretty little fella! I don't hang hummingbird feeders out here at home because of my dogs, but many years ago, I used to go camping with my ex-husband and my son. We would hang two hummingbird feeders on the two corners of our camper awning. We would love to just sit there in lawn chairs and watch them feed. They are so fast and so tiny and beutiful. That's just one of things I miss of my past life.
Have a great day!
Char
:-)
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Do you think the dogs would deter them? I've got a cat that is a good hunter that has caught several birds in flight, rabbits, and even digs moles out of their holes, but she hasn't been able to catch the fast hummingbird.
My feeder is right outside my window at the bottom of the back porch steps and it hasn't bothered them any that she's around. They just wait until she's not in the area, and they're fast enough to get away from her anyway.
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Hi my friend,
You know you might be right. The dogs may not bother them. I may have to go out and buy a feeder and put it up. We have an awning in the back over our porch. I'm sure if I put it up high enough, they surely won't bother it. Plus, the dogs aren't out all the time. Mostly they are just out there to do their business and come back in. My black lab, Midnight, does enjoy sitting on the porch and staring out into the yard. She always looks like she waiting for someone to come into her territory. Sometimes, if she's good and doesn't bark, I'll let her lay out there for awhile.
Thanks for the great idea!
Have a great day!
Char
:-)
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
6 Jul 08
We have hummingbirds here and I see them generally in the morning when I walk the dog. It's always fun to see one of these guys. They seem to be kind of a dull black or brown color what I can see of them. We don't have the real colorful ones - I don't know where the distribution is for those guys.
I tried a hummingbird feeder when we lived back east and the darn yellow jacket wasps got into it so badly I took it down. I could try it out here since I haven't seen many wasps. It's definiely an investment in time keeping the liquid fresh.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
6 Jul 08
I've got more photos and may have to think up another discussion to post them in!
These few here haven't been very colorful, but there is one of the that has the ruby throat. Haven't been able to catch that one or a pic, though.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
6 Jul 08
I've heard honey is no good for hummingbirds. I've seen that very thing mentioned on several websites.
@kat_princess (1522)
• Japan
8 Jul 08
I think they're only in zoos in our area.I've never seen such birds here.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
8 Jul 08
They're fascinating little creatures. Since I've been posting this thread, they've been visiting all throughout the day.
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I have a lot of hummers in my yard but no feeder set up for them. They come to my flowers instead. Usually I can just look out the window behind me and see several at any given time hovering while they are drinking the necter from the various flowers planted.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I wish I had some flowers, but all I had were a few from bulbs and even they're out front where I can't see them. There is some honeysuckle at the edge of the woods by my driveway, and I see them there occasionally if I'm sitting out front.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
1 Aug 08
Oh my, what beautiful pictures!
Yes, I have several hummingbirds that come to my yard. I even found a couple of nests this year. One even has a baby it it as I type this. I wouldn't doubt that there are more in the yard, but they are hard to find, being they are so small and all. 
And yes, I have a feeder for them (picture of it should be directly below, if it worked ). The feeder gets drained before a week is up, so no need to worry about it going sour. 
And yes, I have a feeder for them (picture of it should be directly below, if it worked ). The feeder gets drained before a week is up, so no need to worry about it going sour. 1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
6 Jul 08
I need to fill up our feeders thanks for the reminder LOL.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Oh goodness, yes! The little buggers need that sugar to keep those wings a flappin!
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Jul 08
nope all I see around my area are sparrows, and pigeons and sea gulls in the parks, once I saw a bluejay it was beautiful.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Hummingbirds are really amazing little creatures. Their wings beat so fast that if I'm outside, I can actually hear them as they hover in.
1 person likes this
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
6 Jul 08
We don't use the feeders because they are attracted to our butterfly bushes. At first we use to think it was a huge bee, but by looking again it was a hummingbird!
They are so beautiful.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Yes, they are tiny little critters, aren't they? I don't have any flora here that will attract them, but I did want to get a butterfly bush this year. That didn't happen because I put cucumbers in the space that I thought would be best.
I'd rather have them right here outside my window anyway, and with the feeder, I can put it where I want.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
6 Jul 08
I plan to get a feeder this week. My neighbor has flower and bushes that attract them and I love those little charmers! When I lived in Arizona I thought they were tiny but coming home to Ohio, they're even smaller!
If they get used to you being at the window or out in the yard, they'll buzz you or do antics outside the window when the feeder is too low. They are smart little critters! 
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
6 Jul 08
One or two of them have been back several times since I posted this. Still trying to get more pictures.
I remember a few years ago at my sister's house in NH, she had two feeders up on her small deck. A half dozen of them were fighting and dive bombing for a good hour - great entertainment!
1 person likes this
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
9 Sep 15
I love my hummingbirds that visit all year every day. It is a commitment to feed them.
