We have one kind of hummingbird here in South Jersey – the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. They are so fun that I mark my calendar every year regarding their behavior. I know now to put out my hummingbird feeders when the cherry tree begins to bloom in the spring. And I know that even though it is now peak hummingbird mayhem in my backyard, they will soon be migrating and I won’t see them again until the cherry tree blooms.
I photographed this female from my office window.
And here’s a video with a hint of the mayhem going on in my yard. Although there are only ever 3 hummingbirds in the shot at once, there were at least 6 buzzing about the 4 feeders I have in the area. I do love them and am so happy to see them every year.
Love the photo. I couldn’t watch the video because it said I didn’t have access. I’m guessing it must have been amazing. You must be on their favorite stop list.
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Thanks for the heads-up, Judy. I think I had to push a few more buttons to get the video up there. I am over-stretching my competency levels.
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I understand believe me. I can’t count high enough to estimate how many times I google how to do something technical. 🙂 But, I returned for a visit, and it works perfectly so now I have questions. Is your hanger in the shade? I love the metal hummingbird, it’s lovely. I never seem to find the right place to hang a feeder to draw their attention.
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Glad you tried again! That particular feeder is mostly in the blazing sun (this was taken early morning). But see how tiny the feeder is? They empty it every day, so it has no time to go bad. I put my bigger feeders in the shade so they don’t spoil. For some reason, this is the favorite feeder location- even when it didn’t have the cute metal topper. I haven’t figured out why.
There are clearly feeders that get action and feeders that don’t, but it’s mostly a mystery. I have about 10 feeders in my yard with plenty of flowers, as well. I try to make it worth their while to stop by. Keep trying! They are so fun to watch.
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They’re headed here. I enjoy seeing the hummingbirds all through the winter. They enjoy our lantana, chaste bushes, and cannas.
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Really? You see them all winter? Awesome. I will send them well fed.
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🙂 Funnily enough, if you look at the charts, they say that the ruby-throated hummingbirds don’t come here; we’re too far west. However, I’ve seen them every winter for as long as I can remember. In fact, we’ve had a few nests.
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Oh!!! I am so jealous! I look every year, but have yet to find a nest. Awesome!
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Well caught. I, too, couldn’t see the video without signing in?
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Thanks, Derrick. I forget that just because I see something on my computer doesn’t mean that everyone else can see it on theirs. I had to do some things and I think I fixed it.
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Well worth the effort. Thanks again
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Thanks, Derrick – glad it finally worked.
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Yup, something wrong with the video. I, too, love humming birds. They always leave sometime around my birthday in mid-September. A sad time when those fluttering beauties leave. I really like how you gauge when to put out their feeder.
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Wow, Laurie – I think that’s when they leave here, too. I would have thought yours would head out earlier. I think the males leave first. Did you ever notice that? In fact, our males might be gone already. I haven’t seen in a couple of days.
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I never noticed that, but I will be on the look out. Now that you mention it, I don’t recall seeing any males for a while. So they might have left. Yes, funny that the New Jersey hummingbirds and the Maine hummingbirds pretty much leave at the same time.
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I just checked my notes from last year, and September 21st was actually the last day I saw one. Not mid-September.
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Your hummers look quite big Jodie – access issues fixed by the time I got here 🙂 They are so beautiful to watch. We don’t have any here.
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Thanks, Pauline – glad it worked.
They are bigger than a bumble bee – but smaller than all the other birds. They are so feisty! You can hear them chittering and fussing with each other throughout the video. All of that personality might make them seem bigger than they are.
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That must be it 🙂
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Unlike others readers, I was able to see the video. Love it!!
At least one nectar feeder is kept up year round along the Gulf Coast. We are fortunate to have several species visiting, but currently it’s around 10 RTH’s each on 6 feeders. It’s my morning joy to sit in the dark each morning waiting for them to wake from torpor and begin another day fighting constantly over a feeder with 10 seats … room for all. Such little bird brains they are!
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Oh, wow – you have it going on down there! I have about 10 feeders and get 6 on one at a time at the most. You describe their personalities perfectly – they spend so much time fussing at each other that very little actual eating goes on. Love them!
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How wonderful to have hummingbirds in your yard! I love the video.
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Thank you, Clare. They are a treat.
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They are beautiful, flying jewels! Ours are still about here, too.
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That’s a wonderful description, Lavinia. I love that so many people find them as special as I do.
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Lovely to observe the birds isn’t it Jodie, these are particularly delightful. Lovely blog post.
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Agnes, my whole body and soul relax as I go into the yard with the intention of observing. It’s always special and I usually see something new. Right now about 6 black swallowtail caterpillars are demolishing my parsley. All I can think is – how will they survive so late in the season?
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We think and enjoy alike Jodie, and that’s lovely too. Nature is so wonderful. 🙂
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I’m jealous. I really want Hummingbirds in the UK, but I’m doomed to disappointment. 😦
Great video and picture.
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Thank you, very much, Simon. We are very lucky to get these little pistols in our yard every year. Once the cherry tree starts to bloom, I will put out their feeders so they are well fed as soon as they get here.
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