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Post by lilyopath on May 25, 2012 15:23:28 GMT -5
It's May 25, and I still have hummers.
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 1, 2012 18:04:48 GMT -5
Wow! Hummers really enjoy this rainy weather! They have been very active in the flowers and have perched in the oak tree and rose bush to enjoy the rain.
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 2, 2012 12:40:54 GMT -5
I haven't seen a single hummer today; it's so strange after seeing so much hummer activity yesterday.
The hummers I'm seeing now are female or very immature males.
I have noticed less activity from all the different birds in my yard in the last week. The flycatchers have left and taken their suitcases with them. I don't know if their young ones survived and left the nest or if something happened to them.
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 2, 2012 19:46:37 GMT -5
Okay. I came home about 4:50 PM, and the hummer show was on. I watched one female hummer feed on the flowers in my yard for 50 minutes. Before and after that I saw a hummer come and go. Could have been the same one. I don't know.
The most hummers I've ever seen in the summer have been five at one time. That was when the gloriosa lilies were blooming. Hummers seem to collect in the gloriosas and, then, the fussing begins.
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 7, 2012 19:05:53 GMT -5
The hummers are very active and enjoying the rain. I've seen quite a few chases this afternoon, so I know there are at least two RT hummers. I'm guessing more because of the number of sightings.
I'm wondering if they could be starting second nests in this area.
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Post by Joe M on Jun 8, 2012 17:02:13 GMT -5
Well my Hummers that I had until 2 days ago (2 Female Ruby-throated), have finally had enought of the rain. Have not seen a one for two days. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 8, 2012 22:59:45 GMT -5
I saw two hummers several times today. At least one was a female. There were chases, but when I first saw them, one was in the hibiscus and the other was in the coral honeysuckle, the purple firespike and the squirrel's tail. They were so busy, I guess, they weren't aware of each other. They headed out in different directions....one south and the other west.
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 8, 2012 23:01:08 GMT -5
Keep watching, Joe. I'll bet you'll see them again.
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Post by susancombee on Jun 19, 2012 12:06:37 GMT -5
In our yard we have two feeders always action one to two birds. All different colors. Yes we have the ruby throated hummers also. Need help to I'd them?.. 863-712-8234
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Post by lilyopath on Jun 19, 2012 14:16:38 GMT -5
Where are you, Susan? Can you get pictures? Are your two feeders hummingbird feeders? What birds do you need help IDing? Hummers or other birds?
Welcome to this website.
Lily
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Post by lilyopath on Jul 1, 2012 14:16:22 GMT -5
There are at least three RT hummers here now. Probably more. How many more, I wonder?
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Post by lilyopath on Jul 15, 2012 19:12:47 GMT -5
I still have hummers.
Also, I wanted to report lots of hummer activity near University and Rouse Rds. in Orlando. That's where my son lives. The hummers that I saw were female RTs, and they were in the hibiscus and in and out of the woods backing up to the Little Econ River.
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Post by cathyy on Jul 15, 2012 20:48:27 GMT -5
hope the picture attaches...is this guy molting or something else? Attachments:
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Post by Joe M on Jul 16, 2012 5:07:33 GMT -5
Appearence of early or late molt? I suspect the latter, since he still has some white tipping visable on his tail feathers. Probably fledged very late last year? Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by lilyopath on Jul 17, 2012 9:05:16 GMT -5
Beautiful mature male RT hummer came yesterday. He perched in the rose bush, went directly to the feeder near the bedroom window and checked out the red shrimp plant. It seemed like he was familiar with the yard. I think he was here before!
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Post by moboston on Jul 17, 2012 16:38:27 GMT -5
Since Sue hasn't posted, I will report that last weekend she saw her female and what she thinks was a very young bird. Unfortunately, its bill was damaged on the bottom half. She described it to me as being perpendicular to the top. She got close enough to get a picture but I haven't seen it. She hasn't seen it since but has seen the female.
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Post by moboston on Jul 20, 2012 15:34:02 GMT -5
:)Saw my first hummer today since April 24th. This one was either a female or juvenile - it was nectaring on my Firecracker plant. I was so shocked that by the time I got my camera, it was gone. Tons of butterflies in the same area so I'm no sure if it was comfortable being around them. Hung a feeder but haven't seen it since. Hoping it will hang around for a few days. Just glad I got to see it!
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Post by lilyopath on Aug 11, 2012 17:25:25 GMT -5
I have a great book by Robert Sargent. It's Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Robert Sargent is the Master Bird Bander from Fort Morgan, Alabama. It's easy reading and has lots of wonderful pictures.
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Post by lilyopath on Sept 18, 2012 10:11:29 GMT -5
OK, I'm home from my trip to Tennessee (Knoxville) where I saw quite a few ruby throated hummers. I also saw a big patch of cardinal plants in full bloom. What a sight! I'm sure the hummers were plentiful in the cardinal plants there, but I didn't get to check it out:(
Here at home I have seen at least two hummers, one a mature male and the other a female. The male is guarding the backyard and chases the female away.
My yard is a mess and my feeders are empty after six weeks away, but the hummers stayed anyway.
I have a new book...Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Backyard by Sally Roth. It even has garden designs.
I learned that hummers like to be where sapsuckers have been; they eat the tree sap and insects in and around the holes that the sapsuckers make in trees.
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Post by moboston on Sept 18, 2012 19:10:11 GMT -5
Welcome back - things are picking up around here the last couple of weeks. Glad to hear yours hung around.
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Post by Joe M on Sept 19, 2012 7:09:45 GMT -5
Well finally back in FL (no more posts from MA), miss the Lake and the Hummers there but virtually all had left but for a few stragglers moving south on their fall migration. After putting feeders up and surveying the untended summer growth in the yard (jungle like), noted two hummers working the fire spike and shrimp plants. Two hours later they were still ignoring the feeders so I'm fairly certain they are not winter regulars. Adult male and a Female Ruby-throated, about normal for my yard in Sep. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by lilyopath on Sept 19, 2012 9:33:25 GMT -5
Welcome home, Joe! I have enjoyed your posts from Ma.
And, Mary, isn't it exciting that hummer sightings are picking up here?
I'm hoping for a rufous hummingbird this year. But right now I can report that the RT hummers are pretty active. They love the rainy weather.
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Post by Joe M on Sept 19, 2012 15:11:10 GMT -5
Well after a day and a half back in FL I can say it's nice to get back and the warmer temps. This afternoon I observed 4 hummers, one I can attest to being the 'boss' and visiting all my little bottle feeders (he may be a returning hummer), but can't confirm a band as yet since I havn't spent a lot of time trying to take photos. I promise I'll send some photos out when I get the time. There have been years when I got back and didn't see more than one for more than a week, so life is good and the hummers are here. Joe M. Lakeland
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Post by marthaloul on Sept 19, 2012 16:38:14 GMT -5
Welcome back to all of you who are returning from far away. I have seen hummers today in the chaste tree, a variety of firespike, the candy corn cuphea, and the one daylily that is open today. What a wonderful treat!
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Post by Joe M on Sept 20, 2012 12:28:33 GMT -5
This adult male Ruby-throated is stretching out and loosening up before his next encounter with another bird. From his behaviour I am guessing he has been here last year but with his belly full of feathers there is no chance of seeing if he has a band while he's perched. Joe M. Lakeland, FL Attachments:
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Post by Joe M on Sept 22, 2012 17:30:03 GMT -5
Little story here (very little)! The irritating adult male (prvious photo) was chasing a hummer away for the past two days but I could never get a look to see or identify the bird but I think this is the little guy. The adult male is very skitterish when I'm around but this youg male is not deterred by my presence and takes every opportunity to feed on the 'fire spike when I'm around and he feels safe from an attack by the male. Joe M. Lakeland Attachments:
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Post by lilyopath on Sept 27, 2012 9:15:39 GMT -5
My friend, Burna, has told me that she has a RT hummer feeding on her firebush. She lives in Fairfax (south Lakeland) within sight of Scott Lake.
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Post by Joe M on Sept 27, 2012 16:00:16 GMT -5
Little guy that snuck in and was feeding on the shrimp plant flowers while the adult male was occupied elsewhere. Has not gone to a feeder and probably will not stay around! Still having more hummers moving through than the hummers that appear to be staying around. Joe M. Lakeland Attachments:
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Post by lilyopath on Sept 30, 2012 16:33:34 GMT -5
We spent the weekend in Orlando near Rouse Rd. and University Blvd. We saw Ruby Throated hummers there in the hibiscus and an unidentified tall shrub. The tall shrub has a white tubular bloom with a red flower coming out of it; it is similar to a white shrimp except for the red part.
When we returned to Lakeland, we saw the usual hummers in the feeders. But we have two new plants to entice them. One is a pagoda plant with a huge orange bloom; the other is a white shrimp plant. I can't wait to see what the hummers think of the new plants.
Lucas' Nursery in Orlando has candycorn cuphea and a lot of other wonderful plants.
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Post by virgo10 on Sept 30, 2012 17:09:23 GMT -5
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