Hummingbirds

[baymule]

We've been gone most of the day. She is still here, but what a different bird! Yesterday her feathers were kinda raggedy looking. This afternoon at 4:30 , she has been to the beauty shop. She is groomed, slick and every feather neatly in place. She is not sitting all hunched up on the perch. She is alert and buzzing around, leaving the feeder for several minutes before coming back for a drink. Seeing this little hummingbird so much improved and feeling better makes my husband and I very happy.

 

[seedcorn]

As it should

 

[valley ranch]

Hummingbirds are still here, the girls replaced the feeder we had, it was dripping, this on looks like it hold a pint, they still take it down pretty fast.


When we were at the lower place during the summer, the birds would meet wifey at the car, so she'd hurry and fill the feeder. The new one hold more, looks like twice the fill.

 

[baymule]

She stayed at the feeder until 7:32, dusky dark. The security light was beaming brightly when she finally quit guzzling down the juice like an alcoholic in a whiskey warehouse. She flew to the oak tree, not far from the feeder, so she can get first dibs in the morning.

 

[Smiles Jr.]

She stayed at the feeder until 7:32, dusky dark. The security light was beaming brightly when she finally quit guzzling down the juice like an alcoholic in a whiskey warehouse. She flew to the oak tree, not far from the feeder, so she can get first dibs in the morning.

I do not know where the Hummers go in the winter but she may be bulking up for a long journey. Kind of like the bears do when they pig out before going int hibernation.

 

[so lucky]

Without checking google, don't they winter in Puerto Rico, and southern Mexico? It's a dang long trip. I read that some off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf keep feeders up to aid the hummers in their flight.

 

[frontiergirl53]

I think they go to Mexico and South America. Now we only have a couple visiting our feeders. I'll miss them this winter!
Funny story: In our old house there was a male that would visit a couple times a day and nest in our tree. One day he decided to follow me in my garden. And after that when ever I was out he would follow me, keeping a 3 feet distance. Oh man, I miss that little guy!

 

[baymule]

She is still here. Now she rests in the crepe Myrtle tree, until she wants another drink. She is much stronger than she was.

@Smiles Jr I believe you are right. I think they try to pack on the ounces to make their long trip. With droughts across the country, I'm sure it has been difficult for hummingbirds to find the nectar rich flowers they need to make the trip.

We have only a few hummingbirds now. They probably have moved on. This little female was seriously depleted, hope she fattens up enough to send her on her way.

 

[seedcorn]

If not, put her on bird safe box and ship her to Brazil.....

 

[baymule]

This is the little hummingbird the first day she arrived. Looking out our front window, tried to get a better picture, but this was it. She just sat there, all fluffed out, scraggly looking, poor thing. Can't get a picture now, she is buzzing like a happy hummingbird should. She was here today, we'll see if she stays tomorrow.