Female Ruby Throated in Mount Dora

[mountdoralover]

I'm going to make this a separate thread as the one I posted on earlier was from 3 years ago.

I have a female Ruby coming to my yard in Mount Dora. I planted a butterfly and hummingbird garden a couple of weeks ago, and she appeared yesterday from out of nowhere.  This morning I saw she was coming to the feeder so I think perhaps she'll be coming back on a daily basis.  Perhaps she has young ones to feed! 

I've never had hummers EVER.  I tried in Apopka for 14 years to get one and now in Mount Dora for the past year.  I can hardly believe my good fortune!

I'm posting a picture.  It's not very good but was the only shot I got of her this morning.

[Carolyn K]

Hi!
I saw that you had a hummingbird coming to your garden.
I live in Mt. Dora and am trying to attract hummingbirds.
What plants did you plant?
I love hummingbirds!
I do have a few butterflies, but no hummingbirds yet.. Still hopeful!
Thanks.

Carolyn

[mountdoralover]

Hi Carolyn,
I get hummers every spring when they migrate through on their way back north. Have had some for the past few weeks. I have trees and plants that should attract them (Bottle brush, lantana, firebush) but they go to my small tube feeders like the one in the picture. Unfortunately, I'm not able to see them very often as I'm away most of the day but I can tell they've been there by the sugar solution going down. Last year I hung large red bows all around the front yard where the four feeders are and I think that helped attract them. (I pick up the bows after Christmas when they're on clearance.) The female that came a couple of years ago continued coming to the feeder about every 20 minutes until she finally left for the year. Last year, I had three at one time. Don't know how this year will be..... I'm hoping to get more, of course. We will have to wait and see.

[Mandy]

I live in Mt Dora also and put a hummingbird feeder out for the first time this spring and I have had non-stop action since then. I am pretty sure I have been able to identify 2 different males and 2 different females. (maybe not but I watch them enough with my binoculars) Not by markings but by the way they feed. Some of my hummers like to sit and drink and some hover the entire time. It is Jan 2017 and I still have a male and female visiting my feeder daily (the male continuously all day more so than the female). I don not have any hummingbird plants in my yard but plan on planting a full garden this spring. I think they have become accustom to me and my dogs because they come and feed when I am doing yard work and lounging in my hammock, pretty close to the feeder. I love it!

[Cindi]

We have seen a Ruby throated humming bird. It ( not sure of gender we are new at this) loves red pentas, shrimp plants and blue salvia. So fun!