Summer will be over in another 10 days and already the temperatures are beginning to fall. I hear folks say that the leaves are starting to change but I've heard of no real cold weather. 

I had this great idea to make a butterfly feeder and indeed I can see it from my window. But the only butterfly to venture close was chased away by the wasps and bees. They have also chased away all the hummingbirds from both feeders. It has now been another 2 days since I've seen a hummer and it was two days before that before I'd seen another. Guess they've moved to better feeders that don't have such pests. 

I have been making sugar water and pouring it in the butterfly feeder pan to feed the hungry insects and it does keep them away from the nectar feeders but the hummingbirds are long gone now. Sure miss them.

I did see a dove come up to the seed table this afternoon. It's this way every dove season. When the shotguns are blasting early and late. The little beauties seem to know that this is their save haven and I hope to see more soon. They are so pretty. And I could always hope to catch one coming in for a landing from the tree above the seed table. Just to see the red underwing that gives warning to others to move away. Just look out ! !

I looked out the window the other day to see something I'd never seen before. It was a hummingbird first hovering at the water pan, then he perched on the rim and drank from the pan. It was the pan with the smaller rim, just the right size (small) for his tiny feet. Awesome.

All it takes is a bit of nice cold water to make the yard come alive with beautiful birds. The sprinkler has been running in the garden and it does attract a lot of birds but the sprinkler here outside the window brings in all the smaller birds. They fight for position but come up to get good and wet in the cool fresh water. There is a fine crop of baby birds of all breeds and they are learning from their parents where to come, when and what to do when they get here. So sweet. Like when they come up to the seed tables and are first fed by the parent then learn how to do it themselves. Such fun diversion and inspiration when I am at the computer. 

Even with the sprinkler on low, the hummingbirds come up and hover in the spray. I have never seen one land on the ground. On a branch or fence, yes but never on the ground.

We had torrential rains on the 13th and by yesterday, the hummingbirds were everywhere. I had wondered if the mean straight line winds and heavy rain would cause the little birds trouble. It might have destroyed their tiny nests but they did survive. When I looked out the window yesterday, there must have been two dozen little birds out flitting around the feeders. I didn't know there were so many this year but that explains how they eat so much from the feeders. There is still one who will come up to my window here and just look at me. He hovers in place for about 30 seconds and is then gone. I always check to see if there is anything they are needing in case he is asking or reminding me of something.

The first hummingbird has made his appearance. Just one but he has been to the feeder many times this afternoon. He leaves about the time I get the camera up to take a picture. Such a cute little bird.

It's almost dark now and I looked out to see another hummer feasting at the new feeder. Such sweet tiny bits of life, fluttering in and out of our view.

03-25-07

I was working here at my computer this past Friday in time to see this fellow. And what a treat it was. Surprising was that he sat still while I grabbed the camera and caught his photo. Lucky me. Click Here to go see !