anyone into hummingbirds?

[armedoldhippy]

i've gotten into watching them the last couple of years. i'm even making my own feeders for the kamikaze flying little fucks. but, i've hit a snag. i'm no longer sure that they are even real! yeah, i see the pictures in magazines, and what LOOKS like them in my yard. but the little bastards seem to be able to teleport themselves from point A to point B without my seeing them. one minute, nothing. blink, and "HOLY SHIT! where did THEY come from? and, i found what looked like a dead one. i picked it up with one hand, and dropped it into the other. NO sensation, lighter than a feather, intangible as a passing thought. utterly weightless i mean. but absolutely beautiful...

 

[star crash]

I love ‘em … my feeder leaks it’s empty in two days, But they definitely come more in the afternoon then in the morning…. really fleeting

 

[CosmicGiggle]

.............. i found what looked like a dead one. i picked it up with one hand, and dropped it into the other. NO sensation, lighter than a feather, intangible as a passing thought. utterly weightless i mean. but absolutely beautiful...

....... ever seen a hummingbird skeleton? It will humble you.

 

[Nannymouse]

We had hummers in Az. Territorial little dudes. One male will stake out territory, have maybe three wives each in separate tree. They seemed to be mostly interested in the eucalyptus tree blossoms and the Desert Bird of Paradise(which is far different than the usual Bird of Paradise plant).

An old neighbor of ours (you know, within ten miles of each other) has built quite the place for himself, so i hear, have not visited, but supposedly he has great gardening and landscape skills, he says that if you plant right, hummers will show up. Cannot recall ever seeing one, around these parts, myself, though.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

....I make my own sugar water. Hi-test, ethyl. One quart water, one cup sugar. Boil for three minutes.

They come from near and far...'cause the drinks are on the house!:yay:

 

[Loc Dog]

I saw a post in facebook mexico expat group, about hummingbirds dying from fungus. Only supposed to use plain sugar and water, and sanitize feeder once a week. Showed hummingbird dying with tongue covered in white fungus, and could not suck it back in.

 

[armedoldhippy]

I saw a post in facebook mexico expat group, about hummingbirds dying from fungus. Only supposed to use plain sugar and water, and sanitize feeder once a week. Showed hummingbird dying with tongue covered in white fungus, and could not suck it back in.

you are (allegedly) supposed to change your nectar every 2 days, more often if it is hot because warm sugar water can ferment and get nasty FAST! i rinse mine every change & take them apart & clean them with bleach etc every week or so.

 

[HempKat]

i've gotten into watching them the last couple of years. i'm even making my own feeders for the kamikaze flying little fucks. but, i've hit a snag. i'm no longer sure that they are even real! yeah, i see the pictures in magazines, and what LOOKS like them in my yard. but the little bastards seem to be able to teleport themselves from point A to point B without my seeing them. one minute, nothing. blink, and "HOLY SHIT! where did THEY come from? and, i found what looked like a dead one. i picked it up with one hand, and dropped it into the other. NO sensation, lighter than a feather, intangible as a passing thought. utterly weightless i mean. but absolutely beautiful...

Yeah they're real and fast too, they go from zero to mach chicken in an instant.

 

[StickyBandit]

I wish we had hummingbirds

 

[armedoldhippy]

I wish we had hummingbirds

i thought nearly everywhere had hummingbirds! not the first (nor last, lol) time i was wrong. ..

 

[armedoldhippy]

most of my local birds have apparently begun the southern trek. figured it would begin in September, but only 1 female seen at my feeders today. she looked lonely. should start seeing other migrators soon. i leave my feeders out until late October/early November for late arrivals/young birds making their first trip.

 

[H G Griffin]

....... ever seen a hummingbird skeleton? It will humble you.

I'm missing something. What were you referring to?

 

[Goodherb]

Yeah they're real and fast too, they go from zero to mach chicken in an instant.

They make strange sound ,when they're dotting from one tree/flowers . Something ,it sound more like a hog/pig in these mountains!

When ever (rarely) they rest (on a limb), just watching them bring a sense of peace!

Helicopter birds!

 

[Gry]

Am blessed to be in an area with many of them year round. Keep a couple of feeders going, and have many, of them nearby. More than neat to watch.

 

[Goodherb]

Yesterday , as I was thinking about them (hummingbirds) one came within (6) six feet , Infront of me, just hovering . It was hoping to be photographed ! My phone camera ,best pic !

 

[Gry]

What a fortunate encounter !

 

[Goodherb]

Sure is !
I must say , since i stop post on this trend , I don't know if one could say so. For instead , take today, while washing up few utensils,one came closer to me than yesterday .

These are moreso ,wilder than those that live in an around civilisation !

 

[Gry]

How neat, am in the city myself, and the birds are are very plentiful here.
Often thought that they live almost in a different dimension.
Have many cats here, and they do always watch the birds, but they
seem never ever to even try to go after them.
Almost magical to hear the sound of them as they fly nearby.
Dusk here now, just looked out and they are here feeding.
Guess I should go grab a glass of iced tea, and sit outside to
watch them.

 

[armedoldhippy]

i'm jealous of folks with lots of birds, lol. if i have out 7 feeders , one dominant male will set up shop & chase dang near all others away. i wonder if it's only the ruby-throat birds that are that ornery? i see youtube videos of shitpots of hummers buzzing around feeders/bird baths..

 

[midwestkid]

My best friends dad sat with a flower in his mouth and had one come up and feed from the flower. It was pretty cool. I imagine it would be a trip to look one right in the eyes while he/she is drinking