A Photo Journal Of Hummingbird Feeding
66The Joy Of A Hummingbird Feeder
The giant red strawberry stands out like a sore thumb as it hangs in mid air just outside the dining room picture window. It actually is not attractive to see it there....at least not until it does it's job. Then the ugly plastic berry takes on new meaning and curiosity swarms around that berry for all it is worth. It does not go unnoticed. Everybody who sits down at the dining room table makes a remark the first time they see that big old berry.
"Do you have Hummingbirds?" is the regular comment said with excitement. "I want to see one", usually follows. I always tell them what is up with the Hummingbird feeder and what to expect. I have been watching that berry for three years now. I can more or less guess what will happen with it at any given time.
Most of my guests opt to sit and wait with anticipation. That is something I know a bit about too. I have waited and waited and tried my best to capture one of the marvelous little birds in action. The first year was mostly in vain. I was not adapted to the workings of my new camera back then.
Last year I got a few shots but was not aware of the habits of the bird in this part of the country. Hummingbirds are much more common out west and south than they are this far north. It makes my stalking for photos even more of a challenge. The third time a charm so they say. This being my third season for waiting and watching that big old berry has me learning and knowing much more than previously. Now I can almost predict what will happen with my big red strawberry shaped Hummingbird feeder.
Thought I would share some of the joys I find each day with this bright red attraction.
|
Original Best 1 Hummingbird Feeder 32 oz
Current Bid: $18.79
|
|
perky pet glass 30 oz hummingbird feeder model no.206
Current Bid: $7.00
|
|
Royal Treatment Purple Hummingbird Feeder
Current Bid: $9.30
|
|
NEW 2 First Nature Hummingbird Feeders Nectar 16oz
Current Bid: $19.99
|
|
Perky Pot Humming Bird Feeder - Made in the U.S. A.
Current Bid: $9.99
|
|
10 Deluxe Hummingbird Feeder tubes and stoppers with BB
Current Bid: $12.99
|
Keeping The Feeder Clean And Stocked
It is important to keep the Big Red Strawberry Feeder fresh. I take it down every few days and wash it real good with very hot water and dish soap. I make sure to rinse the feeder for several minutes to remove any soap residue that might make the Hummingbirds ill. Then I refill the feeder but only 1/3 of the way full because otherwise the nectar would spoil. I lived in Texas and there we had to fill the feeders on a daily basis because we had more visitors to the feeder. This is not the case here in Indiana.
I make the nectar from boiling water and sugar. I tried buying nectar but the local birds would not eat two different brands that were store purchased. It was a waste of my money and I missed out on the Hummingbirds both years I purchased what was advertised as "healthy" Hummingbird nectar. it said it had vitamins so I thought it would be better for the birds. Honest truth is the hummingbirds like the sugar water mixture just fine.
CommentsLoading...
Deltachord I am happy I can share them,Thanks.
Lovely pictures.
I've never seen a hummingbird perching! What a cool picture! I gave my sister a hummingbird feeder for her birthday and she kept calling up to report hummingbird visits. They came so often, she was worried they'd get fat!
Thanks for sharing the info CC. I am curious over the birds. They seem to know when I am watching. My two large dogs are probably a hindrance to me getting too close. I am sure they are aware of the dogs as well. I would love to see the albino photo, bet that is really something.
Hi C. S. CC Riter here. As an avid birder I can really appreciate this one. They are indeed hard to capture with camera. You did good by going with home made nectar as the store bought is not good for them. And boiling it tends to make it last longer too. Never use red dye or honey or vitamins in the nectar. Bad stuff for them. I have some pictures of an albino hummer. I had a hummer that returned year after year and would fly to my window upon his arrival evry spring and let me know that he' returned. I kept a journals and always knew when to expect him. He would even come into my house and buzz around in front of my face as though he was thanking me for his food. They can become quite attached to you if you are around them and they will waait on you to refill their feeders patiantly. Nice work here.
Betsylckes, I have been trying to capture them with the camera for a long time. They are shy. I have become a Hummingbird Popperatzi.
Hey robi2 nice for you to visit, Thanks.
lovely,just lovely:-)
I just love Hummingbirds. I have some in my front yard, but I was never fast enough to get any pictures! Lovely hub!
Freda, What makes you think they are girls?
G-Ma.....You know my good friend in Texas was that way with her Hummingbirds. They would come right up to her and she had quite a few. Boy what an experience to hold or touch one ....very cool. Lucky you and Thanks for visiting and sharing.
I actually held one....and they are so soft and sweet. it got stuck in my daughter's van and i went in and saved it. I believe it came back for several years and always let me talk to it and just sat there on the feeder...I also did childcare for this family who's 2 children would stand a box under the feeder and put their little hands straight up and the birds would actually land on them...Love these little sweet creatures and great pics my dear Thanks...:O) Hugs
So they're girls I think? How precious. I love how their claws grab onto the white handle of the birdfeeder. I just want to pet them. Fantastic job of capturing them so still. =D
The Modern Day Feline,
don't go hunt your own, like my dogs you would rather eat people food....and I can not say I blame you.
Oooops, what did I set off? :P Don't worry, I have no intention of feeding on humming or any other birds...lasagne does just fine for me! :)
I have saved a few birds that way by chasing my cats away, but unfortunately sometimes I was too late :(.
Sweetie...last spring I watched in horror as a large stray cat captured a rabbit in my back yard but, I did manage to help the rabbit by chasing the cat until the rabbit squirmed free and ran to safety.
I love cats and immediately become protective of them when someone mentions something bad. You are right we do eat chicken, which is the same thing, but I just blanched when I saw them kill a little blue jay once. Mostly I did not like it because I was the one that had to clean it up, etc.
thanks nutuba!
Beautiful pictures and excellent writing! This was a delightful and enjoyable hub to read. Thanks for sharing this!
SweetiePie,
I know a lot of people who dislike cats because of their eating habits! But....we eat chicken.
Bob,
Hey good to see you visit.
Hummingbirds are a wonder, thanks for sharing.
I know it is the nature of a cat, but I was devastated when they killed birds :(.
Did you know cats feed on birds? TEE HEE.... Kidding... hope you don't try to go there now. Thanks for visiting Feline.
Such pretty pictures! I didn't know hummingbirds fed on nectar!
Thanks Kmadhav, makes me feel good to let others enjoy as much as i do.
James... I have struggled with learning this camera and still so much i do not know. Glad you stopped in and shared your kind thoughts.
How utterly gorgeous! Both the hummingbirds and your photography. I love this Hub!
c.s. alexis you did a amzing work ..simply great work...beautiful pictures with so much innocense .........
Shalini,
I know he watches me trying to photograph and i too thought he looked right at the camera in the one shot. thanks for stopping in.
What delightful pictures! There's one there where he seems to be looking right at you!
I didn't realise hummingbirds are so particular about their tastes :)
Hey Dar,
Your visit actually prompted me to write this because you, like everyone who sees the feeder wants to see the birds. Thanks for commenting!
rnmsn,
That is exactly what happened to me and then I switched food but the hummers did not come back until the following year. The second time I was quick to switch because I accidentally discovered that the birds preferred the sugar water instead of the store bought. I made a batch from a recipe off the web when I saw the first hummer early last spring.
My intention was to use that until I could purchase vitamin nectar. When I bought a different brand and the birds would not touch it I quickly went back to the sugar water and have been "ALL GOOD SINCE"
hello C S! wonderful article!! and now I know why I had hummers here in the deep suth in march and not now...I made the nectar when they first showed up then bought the Wmart in the bottle and poof...no more hummers :( I will make them new nectar this wkend. Thank you!
This article is great! You are such a beautiful writer.....just the simplest things that bring pleasure to people.....as me...I love those hummingbirds........I enjoyed this article so much.......keep on writing....love it......
Hey Tat, nice to have you visit.
alekhouse....I am just outside of Chicago and no where close to Louisville.
We also watch the birds with coffee in hand isn't it wonderful?
Thanks CS. They are so cute. I love hummingbirds. And I think your pics are good. My sister has a feeder just outside her breakfast nook, and when I go to visit her, one of things I enjoy doing is sipping a cup of cofee and watching the little birds flit around.
They are so cute and beautiful. Thanks for this amazing pictures...
frogyfish,
i got all of these shots this morning in about five minutes but, I waited three years to make that effort work!
poorQpine,
you are stuck on yourself...pun intended....LOL
Good to know you are chasing birds with that camera and not me! I get bored with the human invasion of Animal Kingdom Privacy. Lucky bird....
What a beautifully interesting hub - you must have waited a long time to catch all those pictures. My mother (you like your mom too :-) ) likes to watch her hummingbirds too, and she agrees with your sugar and water recipe also. I had wanted her to add some bird vitamins - but it really didn't go over as well. Interesting, and amazing!
Wonderful! I'll come back to check every once in a while then. Exciting!
Frieda,
I hope to get some better shots and I will post as I come up with them. Glad you enjoyed!
Oh dear god, how beautiful! My inlaws have many many many hummingbirds on their lands. They've sent many a picture via postcard and love to oooh and aaaaah at them. What sweeties! Thank you for sharing!
Peggy W Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago
We have quite a few hummingbirds in our backyard. They seem to be attracted by some of our flowers. Always a delight to see. You did a great job catching them on film. Good popperatzi work!