Sweet Magic

This video is from one of my security cameras. Also check out the web address for neat photos of Hummingbird with babies shared with us by Jerry. http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/ Thanks Jerry. Enjoy!

Bye Papa!

In early spring the male was always present protecting the feeder from hummingbirds that were not part of his family, but just as soon as his babies left the nest, he left. He is no longer around. Now it is just the female who fights off any one accessing the feeder that is not part of her family. She sure is protective. Goodbye papa.

Just Looking

Looking for that special someone? This little guy knows just what to do.

A Chilling Good Idea

Diana Chesley came up with a chillingly good idea to help our friends during the heat of summer. She has a number of feeders, so what she does is fill them 3/4 full and places them in the freezer. Once frozen she takes them out and fills them to capacity before hanging them outside. What a wonderful idea. Guess where my feeders are going to spend the night tonight?

Thanks Diana.

Keeping it COOL

With this oppresive heat, it is essential that we do all we can to keep our hummingbirds hydrated. We turned our sprinklers on and the hummingbirds dived through the mist to cool off. They were just too fast for me to photograph. Though it also helped to cool the feeder. I'll keep trying to photograph these lovely birds cooling in the mist of the sprinkler. If any of you have photos to share post a comment. I will get back to you if you leave your email.

Fency Finch

This beautiful finch was sitting on my sister's fence in San Antonio, Texas.

Open Late

Scarlet is coming in pretty late for a drink. Summer days are long and hot, it helps when the feeder has fresh nectar all the time.

End of Spring

Though Spring is coming to an end today, we enjoyed it while it lasted and we know it will be back next year. May we enjoy many more to come. Please keep in mind that our nature friends need our help during the heat of Summer. How can we help? you ask.

• We can set out water for the birds and butterflies in our garden.
• Maintain feeders with fresh seed or nectar.

Let's see what summer holds!

Spring Buzz!

Hold it...Hold it..., please be still for the picture! "Too beeezy!"

Siesta!

It's too hot to actively hunt, so this lizard (anole) will just lay in wait for something to come close.

Comming in for a landing!

Night Cap

Scarlet came in for a late drink on a hot summer evening. We will call it a night cap.

Adult Titmouse

This is one of the adult Titmice visiting our humble feeder. We just took the bottom of an old plastic flower pot. It has holes for drainage so we placed a section of window screen to keep the seeds from falling through. We also placed a support under it to keep it from flopping over. It works great.

Titmouse Baby

Just feet from our hummingbird feeder I placed a small seed feeder for the Titmice. They have been visiting on a regular basis. This rough looking fellow is so young that it's feathers are still partially sheathed. Just like a lanky youth in humans.

All Points Bulletin

It has been about a week since we last saw Rhet, the male hummingbird, that would visit our upstairs patio feeder. We have only seen his mate the lovely Scarlet and a few of her babies. But we have missed seeing the father. He used to sit about 20 feet from the feeder and physically attack any hummingbird that was not part of his family from the feeder. He has not been seen at his usual perch. We hope he is alright and will come back soon.

Meet Me at the Sweet Waterhole

Others also enjoy the sweet nectar we prepare for the hummingbirds. Here you see a group of ants that are gathered at the sweet waterhole (drop). No need to totally freak out about ants at your feeders, periodically just wipe them away. You can also enjoy their neat presence. All creatures deserve a chance, as long as you are careful.

I Spy...

This little fellow was visiting the vine on the arbor where I was keeping watch on a hummingbird feeder. You never know what you will see while you wait for the hummingbirds to feed.

Photo Ops!

While you wait for your hummingbird near your feeder you find other visitors to the area. Take advantage of these photo opportunities, you will like what you see.

How Not To:

How not to scare away your hummingbird for the shot:

1. You should be in place for a while, maybe 1/2 an hour. (Think comfort, shade, chair, tripod)

2. You will hear your bird approach, it will make a sort of slurp chirp sound. When you hear it or see it in the area, move your camera to your face.

3. It will come to your feeder, the one you have pre-focused on.

4. Of course, when you see it in your view finder just press the shutter.

Good Luck!

Bonnie

This is Rhet & Scarlets babie. As per comments we call her Bonnie. Thanks for your suggestions.