I think I had a migration through here about two weeks ago. My two big feeders were both emptied in six days, but after refilling them, they aren't going down much at all, this week.

 

Even during the worst of the T-storm this afternoon these little birds were still going at it. You would think a hard rain would upset their ability to fly but they seem singularly undisturbed. The other fowl around here (mockingbirds, cardinals, doves, blue jays, et al) sat this storm out.

They really are amazing.

 

I had three doing a bit of a diving act right after we had a storm too!

 

We found a dead hummer in the poolhouse this afternoon. We leave the doors open day and night this time of year so I guess it flew in and couldn't figure out how to get out in time.

It was a hatchling; tiny even for a ruby throat. I hope there's no reocurrence.

 

^


I've not seen much activity lately. Rick did see one at the feeder tonight. I need to replace the feed tomorrow.

I know they'll be heading south soon. Seems like they leave by early September.

 

We had to do a bit of "hummingbird wrangling" on Saturday afternoon. A female ruby-throat flew into the garage, and couldn't get out. We've had this a number of times over the years. They flie in to check out the red car, red tool chest, red pull on the garage door opener, then fly up to the ceiling and buzz around.

We have double-hung windows in the garage: we remove the curtains and pull down the upper half. Normally, the hummer that is buzzing around in contact with the ceiling sees the light or feels the fresh air and flies right out. This one was still there when I got back from my beer run. The wife tried to guide it towards the window with a broom; it landed on the broom, she put the broom in the open window, and it flew away. A happy ending to the story, as far as we know.

They're darned entertaining as they fight over feeders, squeak like mice, and the "pendulum" flight they do as part of courtship (I think) is really funny. Anyone else ever noticed that?

 

I see they get more active and more territorial as they get closer to heading south.

How many do you see in your yard, Ed?

I can only account for three this season...some seasons four.

 

Here's some pics I took a few months ago. Cool birds.

 

OMG! What kind of camera do you have? Great pics!

Which type of hummingbird is that?

We get a ruby throated one and others that have some green, but none that have red head like that.

 

I believe they're called Anna's Hummingbirds. My parents have them year round. The camera's a Canon 1D MarkIII.