I just watched a whole thing on mantis early this morning on Animal Planet. I'm on vacation and woke up at freakin' 5 a.m. Getting old. Anyway I forget the number of mantis species but it's a ton and sure enough there is one that looks like a white flower for the most part and preys on humming birds. Saw another variety that attacked a baby snake. Freaking crazy.

Back to the lighter side we have a kazillion humming birds that visit the house. After we bought an el' cheapo feeder and had many a visitor we decided to get a beautiful blown glass version. They hated it. Bought another $5 version from Lowe's and they seem to come by the kitchen window a good 10-12 hours a day with great regularity. Funny as hell to hear them cuss each other out when more than one shows up at a time. For such little tikes they sure make a ruckuss but it's cool.

 

^Pics?

The birds finally showed up in force here about three weeks ago. The five feeders have to be refilled about every three days. Apparently they're already packing in the food to prepare for the trip south.

I'm been really busy at work but I'll try to get some pics this weekend.

 

Sorry no pics but I'll give my daughter the camera and see what we can get for you. She'd like the job so this might be fun.

 

Please do! I was wondering what kind of activity other folks were seeing. We still see the same three or four. Not too aggressive yet. They usually get that way before they pack up to leave.

I just freshened the feed tonight. I throw away more than they drink/eat. I think the flowers in the yard are their preference.

 

like this guy..

 

I've seen those!

 

wow!

 

Here's a whole bunch of hungry hummers.





^I took these today at the Kennedy Meadows General Store's feeder.

 

Is that moth as big as a hummingbird? Wow...

 

The couple of hummingbird moths we've seen are not as large as a hummingbird, but they sure fool you at first.

Nice pic, Patty.

We still have three or four that frequent our feeders. I imagine they won't be here much longer.