I've been trying to get some good photographs of the feeding frenzy that takes place at one of my hummingbird feeders every evening. No luck so far, if I stand outside then they won't all go to the feeder, and there isn't enough light from inside (the feeder is right outside my kitchen window) to get any decent shots. So for now I'll have to make do with showing shots from the morning feeding taken from the kitchen window. The morning feed is much more sedate than the evening feed. The evening feed at it's craziest has 2 hummers perched at each port and more birds buzzing around trying to get at a port, some even hover over a twosome and just push their beaks right on in. It's an amazing sight and just so much fun to watch. Another indicator of just how heavily they feed here is that I took these photos between 9:15 and 9:40 this morning, note the level of food in the first shot and the level in the last three shots. The feeder was filled to the brim at about 6:30 last night and empty at 9:43 this morning. The hummers will have to fight for space at the other two feeders in the garden or forage amongst the flowers until I refill this feeder this evening. I buy 10 lb. bags of sugar and most of it goes to the birds.
I took a number of series of photographs with the high speed continuous shooting feature on my camera and used one of them to put together this short film that will give you a hint of the frenzy that occurs around the feeder. Set the film speed to jackrabbit to get the best effect.
The video doesn't seem to get delivered if you're reading the post in a reader, go directly to the post to find it.
This is too beautiful! I love these pictures. I don't think we have here hummingbirds, as I have never noticed them.
ReplyDeleteIf I understand correctly, you add sugar to the water in a feeder? Is this only for hummingbirds, or for all birds?
Based on what you wrote, I assume there is a video in your post, but I can't see it. I will check later, maybe my connection is a problem.
Lovely photos!!!
Wow, awesome pictures and video, they are so pretty and fun to watch. Are the Ruby-Throats permanent residents in your area?
ReplyDeleteSo many hummingbirds! Your garden is probably like an oasis for these guys. I only have a few at a time...usually on the scarlet runner beans.
ReplyDeleteThat's terrific. I'd like to set up a feeder and probably will -- someday. What fun you must have watching them.
ReplyDeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteMy mom had the same kind of attendance at her hummingbird feeders when she lived in northern Idaho. She has since moved and no longer has feeders out for them. I put feeders out but we only get an occassional migrant as they move through the area. Enjoy those little beauties - they are a treasure.
ReplyDeletevrtlarica, hummingbirds are only found in the Americas and I don't think there is anything like them in Europe. The feeders have sugar water in them and it's only for the hummers, the other birds here don't feed on nectar. The video can be a little balky, I'm new to this video thing and I just used the feature on Picasa which I guess is not the best.
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Mac, they are so much fun to watch. These are Anna's hummers and they are residents all year.
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Jackie, It amazes me how many hummers come to my feeders. This craziness starts when the new chicks fledge and pretty much continues until the next spring. I'm guessing that the new generation gets kicked out of the adult's territory in the spring. There's always a lull at the feeders for a couple of months then.
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Stefaneener, Definitely, you should, they are tons of fun to watch.
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Julie, they are amazing creatures!
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kitsapFG, I get some migrant Allen's or Rufous hummers (I can't tell them apart) that come through in the spring, headed up your way no doubt. Your mom must have had them nesting in her area. It's such a treat to have so many of them hanging around.
I could watch them all day!
ReplyDeletesuch darling creatures~
Wow, that's a big turn out! We feeder them as well and before the poles beans engulfed the window I could see them :-)
ReplyDeleteLove these fierce tiny creatures!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to have to maintain feeders, I just make sure they have flowers of their liking around here, so no mass feedings for me. Still, they are a lot of fun even on a one to one basis.
I love hummingbirds. The way they hover and dart about is so different from normal birds.
ReplyDeleteHello there!
ReplyDeleteWow, is that feeder a winner or what?!
Grrr. I can't get the video to work. But, the pictures are great--what fun to have so many little, colorful warriors in the yard. I love hummingbird personality.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Look at all of those hummingbirds. I hope they bring you good luck. They must be a wonderful sight.
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