The Rubies are here! And, just like always, they are hungry. Feeding these babies is a true passion of mine. Not only do I have lots of feeders hanging around the place, I try to provide them with natural food by selecting plants for the gardens that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
When I was visiting a local nursery recently, a hummingbird flew through the open door and into the greenhouse where I was. I stood very still and watched. Obviously, he had been dining there before for he seemed to know exactly where he was going and what he wanted ~ Dwarf Hummingbird Mint, Autumn Sage in both violet and hot pink, and Cuphea Honeybells. When I left the greenhouse, my purchases that day included some of these tried and true hummingbird favorites.
And, here the plants are filling an old wooden box that once served as a minerals and salt feeder for the cattle. How about that green color that Mother Nature put on that old piece.
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Carolina Buckeye. We can always expect the hummingbirds to arrive when the buckeye blooms.
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| Look at that tongue. |
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Another Cuphea which these little birds go crazy over.
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28 comments:
I have never seen so many hummingbirds in one place in my life! It must get a bit noisy when they all arrive in the morning. They are just a delight to watch.
Unbelievable!! I cannot imagine so many Hummingbirds in one place. Do they rest up and continue their journey or have they reached it and will stay around?
Our resident hummers died this past winter when we had a week or more of extreme cold ( for our area). I hope others will find our yard this year. The males should already be here but I haven't seen any.
Dwarf Hummingbird Mint is something I'll be looking for next time I go to the nursery. Autumn Sage is a lovely name that sounds like a poem. I'll look for that as well although it may not be hardy here.
I feel like I've turned into Lawrence Well! I can't help but say...."Wonderful, ah-Wonderful".
Fabulous series of photos. Gotta love those sweet birds. (Ours arrived April 17th this year)
Happy news! I love it. Beautiful shots of them. I need to fill my own hummingbird feeder!
Such welcome visitors! I've had cigar cuphea and bat face cuphea (adore the little bat face flowers), now I'll be looking for Honeybells!
What fun to watch! You sure must have got the perfect plants.
Wow! You have lots of hummers! I only have 1 feeder and usually, only see one hummer at a time. I like your feeders too. They look like glass. I wrote down the plants too. Thank you for all the great information. Beautiful photos too!
Ooooooooooooooo! We think we're lucky when we have two or even three little ones come to our two feeders! I always change the nectar, keep the feeders clean, but there have never been many at one time. What a marvelous and wonderful sight for you! Ours will arrive around the middle of May. And, I love the old wooden salt feeder's coat of color.
Yes, they are quite noisy, Quilting Babcia, especially when they are in a feeding frenzy like they were in the top picture, which was taken late evening. Dan can't stand the noise, but since I don't hear so well, it doesn't bother me. To make him happy, I don't have any feeders hanging on the front porch now. The little birds are having to get used to feeding in the back yard.
Granny Marigold. I am sure some are migrating, but lots of them stay. There is always a break in the feeding when the wild honeysuckle begins to bloom, which will be very soon. After the young ones hatch, it is a big job keeping the feeders filled. I have ten large feeders.
Jenclair, Batface cuphea is my favorite, but I haven't been able to find it this year. The last picture is Batface. The little hummers love it!
Sandra, Everything is on hold right now, as far as work on the Shanty goes. For one thing, it is a busy time on the farm. I also can't open up the door to work now because the little hummers will zip right in and got caught inside in the attic space. Bless their little hearts!
Wow Wow Wow! Just look at all your little buzzards (that's what I call them because the buzz us.:-) I have heard a couple and put a feeder out, but it's still a little early up here. I like the little critters - you are a lucky gal to have such a bunch!
Oh my goodness - I've never seen that many hummers in one place! Lucky you. We were thinking about putting out a feeder but I rather doubt they would come up this high (3rd floor apartment) and now it's a moot point anyway because the stores aren't open to buy a feeder. They won't be coming back here for a bit yet because it's still too cold for them.
Wow so many hummingbirds. I've never seen so many in one place before.
Fantastic photos!!
They really love my honeysuckle vine. Look forward to seeing them again. Pretty colorful flowers.They love my astilbe too! Janice
Oh, my goodness, I knew I needed to see these on the computer...they are wonderful. You should have named your blog Hummingbird Hill!
Do you know if hummingbirds vary among species as to orneriness? Because the hummingbirds I know are so competitive, often one bird hogs a whole feeder and chases everyone else away. Around here I think we mostly have Anna's. Up at my mountain cabin I have stopped hanging the feeder because there, one hummingbird controls stands guard at our feeder and feeds at the one next door!
Gretchen, these little Rubies are very territorial and fight some fierce battles over drinking rights. I have nine feeders out now so there's usually room for all.
Rose ~ I love it! Hummingbird Hill would have been a perfect name.
they are so sweet lucky you I have not seen any here of course there is nothing blooming for them to sip on.
Cathy
I had a hummingbird come to my azalea yesterday. ;)
Wow! I love the green box!!
Charlotte, for awhile Wal-Mart didn't have sugar so I figured the little hummers would just have to make it on their own this year (which would probably be better for them, anyway). But, one day Dan went to Atwoods and came out with a cart full of Domino brand pure cane sugar. I can't remember seeing that brand for a long time.
The box must be built of treated lumber to have taken on that lovely green color. It was also shoved back against a fence where it didn't get much sunlight. I have been eyeing it for a long time.
Your garden is looking so pretty. I love those rustic wooden planters - I have one in my garden with some herbs growing in it. Such a pretty time of year.
How amazing to see so many hummingbirds! The flower box is just beautiful as well as the flowers! Do you make your own hummingbird food in the feeder?
How lovely the container is and how great that you know what makes the little hummers happy!
OH! Your new header/banner photo is heartstopping! I LOVE it.
Your new lead photo is magnificent!
How lucky to have a free Feeding tutorial!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos. I am still waiting for my hummingbirds.
Your flowers are so lovely. Oh, I love hummingbirds. How fun.
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