Youngsters, moms, and dads all together at the feeders. The height of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) season here on the mountain. Mighty hard to count them as they bounce around in mid-air but snapping a picture does help. I see 18 of them in this picture. I would not have guessed that many.
They sure slurp down a lot of that syrup.
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Look at those incredibly tiny feet! The middle toe is just 1/4 inch long. Surely Hummingbirds are students of yoga, since they’re able to scratch their heads and necks with those feet.
Years ago the goal was to put out the Hummingbird feeder by Mother’s Day. This year I put out the feeder on April 15th and on April 17th two or three Hummingbirds were seen migrating through. I’m only guessing that they were migrating through since they arrived at the feeder and gulped down the syrup as if they had been flying for miles. This went on, two and three at a time every few hours, for many days.
Now the steady flow seems to have stopped but there is a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) that keeps returning to my feeder. He takes a quick sip and disappears. I’d like very much to have all of them wear little name tags so I can tell one from the other but I haven’t figured out how to make that happen.
Hummingbird season has begun! Let the crazy circus begin!
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What an absolute kick it is to feed the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) that come to my feeders during the summer. Some of them have been here before and return to my feeders, whether during the summer or during their migration.
But gone is the time when I put out 1/2 gallon of hummingbird syrup every day. And gone is the time when I would see only two or three hummingbirds migrating through each day. I haven’t see one of these comical critters since October 9th.
I’ll keep the feeder out, clean and stocked with their syrup though, through the end of the month. There’s no telling if there will still be one or two coming through after getting delayed for one reason or another.
Come on by! Here until Halloween!
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A juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) on his way to Central America or maybe all the way to southern Mexico. If he is a bit less ambitious though he may only go south as far as the U.S. Gulf Coast.
This summer the Hummingbirds have pleased me with their abundance, emptying 1/2 gallon of syrup every day, without fail. Now I’m happy to have those on the move come by to get their fill, though a quart sized feeder doesn’t empty for many days.
As the months slip away and winter turns to spring, I’ll look forward to seeing these little clowns in early April. The syrup will be ready and waiting for them.
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He showed up at lunch today. Gulping down the syrup as if this male had traveled long distances, which he certainly has. The very first of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) to arrive at my feeders.
Now dinner has come and gone. There was a female traveler who came to the feeder while we were eating. And then a male. The same one? A new one? No telling. Two or three of these little birds have arrived today. Absolutely welcome. Let the hummingbird circus begin.
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Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) on their way to their winter homes. Coming through, two or three per day on their way south. Stopping for just a moment at Goldenrod, Obedient Plant, or in this case this morning at a Morning Glory.
And more migrating. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) also on their way south. Several are coming through every day. Usually one at a time. They are an independent sort and travel alone. Occasionally though as one sips, another will show up and give chase. Always the trouble makers. That pale throat can either indicate a female or a juvenile of either sex. But the white tips on their tails tell me that these are females.
Just a few now. Gone are the mobs. Gone are the battles. Gone are the tiny, silly clowns. Though I’m still seeing those that are migrating from the north. Only one or two descending upon the feeders at any given moment. I miss them already. I’ll see you guys in the spring. The feeders will be out. Waiting for you.
A small portion of the crew of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) that are a constant source of entertainment during the summer months. Zooming ’round and ’round chasing each other. Playing “King of the Hill” as one decides that it will become the sole consumer of hummingbird syrup – chasing any tiny bird that dares come near the feeders.
They keep me busy, filling 2 – 32 ounce feeders and a large one that contains 72 ounces, every couple days.
Pure pleasure to have them around.
