First Batch of 2015 Hummingbirds

Just a quick post regarding hummingbirds . . . that’s why we begin with tree swallows. 

Here’s proof that nesting be difficult on the pair . . . 

I’m pretty sure this is the female, and she’s looking a bit run-down. Also, it looks like she had pizza for lunch and was not too particular about being neat. 

Anyway, hummingbirds . . . 

Just in the last few days, the Rufus hummers have arrived. That means we went from four feeders and changing the solution once a week to eleven feeders and refilling them every other day. They seem a bit early; about two weeks early. August is our usual heavy time for hummingbird feeding. We usually go through 20-25 pounds of sugar in a typical season.

More so than other hummers, Rufus hummers guard the feeders against intrusion from other hummingbirds. That is the maple in the back yard, and from that perch he will launch attacks at any other bird that approaches any of the s feeders we have in the back (two 16-oz hanging feeders and four 8-oz window feeders).

Sometimes they are stealthy . . . 

It usually takes a few days for the birds to realize I pose no threat and to get used to the shutter noise of the camera. 

Here’s one of the first photos I tried yesterday evening. Yes, he’s reacting to the shutter. On some photos, they react fast enough that all I get is a blur on the corner of the photo.

A few minutes later I am old hat . . . 

Some are still bashful . . . 

. . . checking me out before risking a drink . . . 

. . . but only a quick one before checking what I’m up to. 

Here’s one at one of the window feeders. 

Also nervous, it settled down pretty quick.

Once they get used to me they’ll sit there and drink for one-half to one minute. 

Another trick I have is to set up with the phone camera right at the feeder and stand perfectly still. I also wear sunglasses because I’ve figured out they will react to eye movements. 

That way I can sit there and watch them from no more than 8″-12″ away . . . and take movies (watch it in HD).

I have a longer movie with some Rufus hummers, but I need to trim it down a bit . . . I’ll have it up some other time.

As usual, clicking on a photo will get you a large size, and the full-size photos are in the SmugMug Gallery found HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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