Friday, June 12, 2009

The Latest Buzz...

Just thought you needed to know!
:-)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't it gratifying to give nature a hand and have it respond so enthusiastically? I bet the buzz and chirp were loud!

bobbie said...

I love this! I've never had more than 2 at a feeder at one time. And when there are two, they are usually fighting about who has a right to be there.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I have the same feeder as you, but hummers only hover briefly, never taking a long drink. At first I didn't know you had to boil the sugar/water mix and then I discovered the holes were gunky, but I've fixed both things and I'm still not getting long-feeding hummers. I keep hoping, though!

troutbirder said...

Feisty little rascals aren't they. Now if I had that much energy.....
I've had trouble with my heuchera in the woods. They just seem to delicate to fight off their agressive neighbors and disappear.

Northern Shade said...

They are remarkably calm on your feeder. They are obviously enjoying the sweet buffet. Are you getting frequent visitors?

Rose said...

SG, you have found the Holy Grail, as some of us say! You must be doing something right to have 4 hummers at once.

I just saw your post about heucheras; I find them hard to resist, too, especially the ones with the yummy names like Tiramisu and Creme Brulee. I'm not sure why I'm attracted to plants with dessert names:) By the way, how do you pronounce heuchera? I had a very experienced gardener tell me recently it was hook-er-a, but I've never heard anyone else say it that way.

Gail said...

They are wonderful, Shady! So many and they are sharing so nicely! I must get my feeders up!

Sylvana said...

Thank you for reminding me to put my feeders out!

BTW - my wv was "humpep"

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

How great that you have several visit at once! There must be nicer hummingbirds where you live :) Here the Rufous chase away any other hummer that dares to show up when they are at the feeder. I just love watching them, great video!

Shady Gardener said...

Grace, Did you know that I have a friend named Nancy that could be your sister? She's such a nice person, that I'm adopting you, too! :-) I'm learning more about the habits of the hummingbirds by watching them!

Bobbie, Most often the "Watch Hummer" is on guard. I think this fellow was looking over the females when I took this photo. :-)

Monica, Don't forget to clean the entire feeder and change the sugar water every 3 days or so. It turns "bad" and could cause the hummers some real problems (death).

Shady Gardener said...

Troutbirder, WHAT would you do with all that energy?? Especially that of the little "Watch Hummers!" ;-) 'Palace Purple' seems to be my most prolific plant, in that it THRIVES in shade! And now that some of the plants are 4 - 5 years old, they are really coming "into their own." If you haven't tried these, you must!

Northern Shade, Many visitors! It's very much fun. My Baltimore Orioles are still making their appearance as well. What a wonderful Spring!

Rose, This was when the "Watch Hummer" had mellowed for a few moments! ;-) Pronounciation: Hew' ker a (schwa "a" sound).

Gail, I know how easy it is to forget the feeders, esp. when you have so many plants that hummingbirds love! :-)

Sylvana, Appropriate word verification! Hummers have lots of pep! ;-)

Hi Catherine, I know what you mean. Sometimes I just want to stand out there and scold the little "Watch Hummer!" But there are times he is quite entertaining!! :-)

Kathleen said...

How on earth do you get them to share the feeder Shady Gardener?!! Mine are so territorial ~ they won't allow another within 20 feet of "their" feeder! I have to place them in strategic places about the garden(where they can't see from one to the other) just so more than one can have a sip. I'm glad you are enjoying the hummingbirds in your garden. I can't wait for them to show up here (July sometime).

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kathleen, It's not "my fault!" ha! I think there is sometimes a larger influx than at other times, and the "guard hummer" doesn't know what to do. Otherwise, I think he's gathering a harem?? ;-)