When we went up to the White Mountains back in the day, I used to set up three feeders on the raised porch of the cabin and watch the fun. They would zoom in by the dozens. Of course if there was a Rufous female, she ruled, determining who got to eat and where. The only time I saw her back off was when one of the big Rivoli's (then called Magnificent, I think) would come in, the Rufous would grudgingly allow it to feed as it wanted to. I called it all "Bird Wars": with 'Tan Solo', 'Dark Invader' and 'Like Flywalker'. Sitting just a few feet from the feeders, the various hummers would use me as a place to hide behind and sometimes they would land on me if I was quiet enough.
I love to watch hummingbirds. Not a bird that we get here and not one that I've seen in the feather, so I am relegated to live cams and whatever I can find on the interwebs. I've been reading Jon Dunn's "The Glitter in the Green - In Search of Hummingbirds" which took me to his website to look at his photos accumulated when researching his book (http://www.jondunn.com/photo-galleries/hummingbirds/) They are incredible birds.
In the meantime I'm watching the blue tits and great tits squabble over who will have which nesting box in the garden.
When we went up to the White Mountains back in the day, I used to set up three feeders on the raised porch of the cabin and watch the fun. They would zoom in by the dozens. Of course if there was a Rufous female, she ruled, determining who got to eat and where. The only time I saw her back off was when one of the big Rivoli's (then called Magnificent, I think) would come in, the Rufous would grudgingly allow it to feed as it wanted to. I called it all "Bird Wars": with 'Tan Solo', 'Dark Invader' and 'Like Flywalker'. Sitting just a few feet from the feeders, the various hummers would use me as a place to hide behind and sometimes they would land on me if I was quiet enough.
I love it when the hummers come in like this--I've had them landing on my fingers as I tried to refill the feeder...
So wonderful all the hummingbirds!
Thank you! I love this time of year when the hummingbirds begin arriving...never know what to expect.
I love to watch hummingbirds. Not a bird that we get here and not one that I've seen in the feather, so I am relegated to live cams and whatever I can find on the interwebs. I've been reading Jon Dunn's "The Glitter in the Green - In Search of Hummingbirds" which took me to his website to look at his photos accumulated when researching his book (http://www.jondunn.com/photo-galleries/hummingbirds/) They are incredible birds.
In the meantime I'm watching the blue tits and great tits squabble over who will have which nesting box in the garden.
Wonderful Alan--thanks for sharing this. Let us know who wins nesting rights in your garden! Maybe you should have your own webcam!