Moments of Zen

[tallulahdahling]

I just LOVE my hummers!

We live way out in the countryside (or the Bayou as my Yankee relatives refer to it) and have swarms of hummingbirds visiting the flowers and feeders.

Mostly we attract the ruby-throated hummers.  They are green with crimson neckbands and are just gorgeous!

Vicsious creatures!  Talk about territorial--that's why you need a few feeders to keep down the gangsta activity!   

I find them to be so soothing and did you know that eventually they lose their fear and you can get them to perch on your finger to feed?  You must be quite still and patient but they will do it!
Only problem is that during the swarm you feel like you're in a Hitchcock film!

Nature is sooooo relaxing--except for the fights with the feral pigs and my dogs--that's a story for later 

[Sunny]

We were just talking about this the other day, Tallulah! Our new backyard seems to be a gathering ground for many different creatures of nature...especially birds!!! So, over morning coffee, we were discussing the need to locate a bird-identifying book and then to hang different types of feeders.

Any suggestions for humming birds? I believe they like nectar...do you make your own? Any special feeders that you recommend?

[Sandy Eggo]

We have this beautiful weed bush that has grown vine-like up the side of our covered porch. I asked the lady next door what it is and she says it's a weed. LOL, but it grows the must beautiful melon colored flowers. Anyway, I haven't cut it down for that reason AND the hummingbirds love it.

I've never been a bird watcher, but I have to agree with you Tallulah, I love to watch them swoop in and feed. I  have NO idea what types are out there, so that's a great idea Sunny. We placed a feeder that we bought at Walmart out there, kinda in the bush, and they seem to enjoy it. We have another feeder that my daughter made at school with seeds, etc. It gets some activity, but not as much. Usually little brown sparrow looking birds.

Thanks for the tip about the hummers, Tallu. I'll share that with lil' Mojo. If I can get her to stand still that long, that would thrill her. She thinks she's Dr. Doolittle anyway.

[Sunny]

I didn't realize that hummingbirds could "perch". I was under the impression that they're in constant motion...but, I guess that could get pretty exhausting after awhile! How would they sleep?

Looks like I need a refresher course in Biology 101.

[kimmi]

I have been to a house that had 4 or 5 feeders on their very shady and covered back porch.  I think I counted 15 birds at one time while sitting there.  It does feel a little like "The Birds" but they are do cute.  The sound they make is faint but neat. 

Sunny, you can buy feeders for hummingbirds at walmart.  They tell you how to make the red liquid crack that goes into them.   

I have two huge butterfly bushes next to my house and they have been swarmed with bumble bees and hummingbird bumble bees.  It is neat to watch!

[Sunny]

Oh, the things you come up with...red liquid crack... ....I wanna say that it's really just colored sugar water, but not 100% certain.

[kimmi]

It is.  You can probably google it.  I'm not sure how much sugar to how much water though.  You can find some really pretty feeders!  Even places like Hallmark sometimes have fancy things like that. 

[Sandy Eggo]

You can google it. It is a sugar/water mixture and IIRC there's some different things you can add to make it inviting to the birds. I'm just too lazy so I grab mine at Walmart or a pet store. LOL

[Sunny]

Something to add color?

[Sandy Eggo]

Something to add color?

Yep, I'd have to look it up again, but seems there are different mixtures and maybe honey can replace sugar? Not sure about that. I shoulda googled it before I commented.

[tallulahdahling]

Sunny,
You can find lots of hummer info online--but go get yourself a book because the pics are so nice!

What you need to do is go to your local co-op or hardware center and get a couple of good, sturdy PLASTIC feeders.  The glass ones are pretty but not very functional.  They leak and often have no perches for the little darlings and they feel more comfy with a perch and are apt to stay longer.  Also, the glass ones are usually decorative and difficult to clean.

I use a couple of 10-12 cup plastic feeders.  Plastic is very easy to clean--just throw them in the dishwasher.  You have to keep the feeders very clean or bacteria will build up and make the birds sick. 

My recipe is cheap and simple.  Go to the store (I like the Dollar General cuz you can get 10-20 lb bags of sugar cheap) and get your sugar.  The recipe is 1 cup of sugar to 4 parts water.  I make mine in a big pitcher and keep the leftovers in the fridge.  Lasts forever.

Remember to change the nectar in your feeder at least once a week in cooler climates and every 3 days if you live in a hot climate.  In these MS summers where temps reach about 100 degrees daily, you have to empty and clean your feeders often and refill with fresh nectar.

DON'T ADD RED FOOD COLORING! Bad for the birds.  The red from the feeders will attract them nicely.  Hang the feeders near trees so the birds have a comfort zone to run to when the others chase them off.

August is the big month for MS hummers--I will have as many as 30 swarming around and I usually put more feeders out then--as many as 6 all around the house and in some of the trees.  I only hang the feeders that have ant traps in them for obvious reasons.

I just took a headcount and already have 18 birds swarming about.   

We were just talking about this the other day, Tallulah! Our new backyard seems to be a gathering ground for many different creatures of nature...especially birds!!! So, over morning coffee, we were discussing the need to locate a bird-identifying book and then to hang different types of feeders.

Any suggestions for humming birds? I believe they like nectar...do you make your own? Any special feeders that you recommend?

[tallulahdahling]

WOW--I gotta film some of this footage and send it into utube--cheap entertainment.  The girls are kicking the boys' butts--seems illogical to use up all of their energy chasing each other away from the feeders, but hey--that's entertaiment!   

[Sunny]

Thank you for all of the information & hints, dahling!!! Will look for a book ASAP!

[tallulahdahling]

Here's a pretty moment of Zen!

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q141/tallulahdahling/?action=view&current=TheRain.gif

[tallulahdahling]

CHUCKLE OF THE DAY
   God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we
don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create
life out of nothing.   In other words, we can now do what you did in the
'beginning'." "Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God. "Well", says
the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and
breathe life into it, thus creating man." "Well, that's interesting.
Show Me."  So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold
the soil. "Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God,
(I love this)
"Get your own dirt."