They're b a c k!!!

Just a quick note to tell everyone that the hummers are back and it is a wonderful sight to see! I wasn't ready, and when the first one was sighted looking for his breakfast, I sure hopped to it!  

Later, there were a couple of different ones enjoying the nectar and up to bedtime, more were visiting. 

Sometimes Mother Nature is dependable.

The Day is Good

At 8:15 this morning a hummingbird came, took a drink, and then checked out the porch hangings. Since last year there are new and different ones and it wanted to be sure none were a threat. First he flew up to "Elmer" the old whirlygig that is constantly moving and often spinning. Then it went to look closer at the 70mm Swarovski crystal ball suncatcher and the spinning Corona flower that I created. It continued to check out the teasel and stayed mid-air there being sure that ugly thing wouldn't attack it! After having a close look at the rainsticks it returned for two more visits and was so relaxed when sitting and sipping that it made me very happy! Now hopefully, it will signal to others coming up from the south to stop in because the area is safe to have a good drink. I was so mesmerized watching its actions that I didn't even consider getting out the camera for some pictures. 

My new flowers are on the kitchen counter because we expect a snow event on Saturday and the nighttime temperatures are predicted to be record lows! 

The twins and their family have moved into larger quarters about two miles from their grandparent's home where they have been since birth. They have a very large playpen!

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for the birds...

All throughout the day yesterday, both I and the Mister knocked down the robin's start of her nest in the carport many times. I used the broom, he used the leaf blower. She sure packs one with multiple types of material, but she is not allowed to nest up there, as persistent as she may be. There are a couple of reasons. The first one being that we let it happen several years ago, the babies were born and she flew in and out regularly to feed them. It was a pleasure to see - UNTIL I saw a crow fly in and snatch a baby robin. Word got out and soon all of the babies were gone. I said, NEVER AGAIN will I watch this act of nature and since then we have always knocked down nests over the beams in the carport. Now we have placed bricks and bent-up pie tins in any spot that we think she will try again.

We went to the farm market and picked up some geraniums, portulaca, and pink begonias for planting next week. We are supposed to get some snow inches Saturday so they will remain in the car trunk area as they were in a large greenhouse before today.

Surprise! I saw the first hummingbird fly through the porch and hovered, searching for the feeder. It realized it wasn't there so flew to better places for its drink. Well, It didn't take me but a few minutes to boil up some water, retrieve the already-sanitized feeder, fix the nectar and get it hung out right away! I KNOW it was looking for a drink. I KNOW it will return. I HOPE I'll see it drink. SOON! Excited here.

Our family in Philadelphia keeps busy in different ways and this photo tells me they have a rock fence garden. Neat!

P.S. my leaf from last year is now officially a blooming tuberous begonia. This makes me happy - very happy.

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My new fermentation pot now has a sliced onion concoction brewing. No peeking! In two weeks I'll let you know how and what and IF!

Sharing.....

Remember that I wrote yesterday about the little hummingbird that sat on the trellis by the feeder? Well, at first I thought it was just resting in a dry place and being secure in having food nearby. It perched and preened ALL day into the evening and this morning was still there! I've now decided that it is guarding that feeder, as if it was only his to enjoy. I put up another feeder nearby. He chases any and all others who even dare to fly in to try to get a drink. Sooooo I removed the metal trellis so it wouldn't be as easy for him to spot and chase others away. He now flies from the feeder to the huge tree across the road to spot competitors. When I first put up a feeder there were several coming and going but then this particular one just took over. I hope the others can now get their share of sweetness. I find that this behavior is interesting. In the meantime, I created these photomanipulations.

Frazzled

Soaked

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It's THAT Kind of Day

The rain is coming down very heavy, the winds are blowing and sitting in, watching the hummingbirds through the window, is what I'm doing. There is one little guy that sits and drinks from the feeder and then flies to the plant trellis below the feeder to sleep; back and forth, over and over again. Yes he does this constantly - naps! Sometimes his little head droops off to the side, but mostly he looks for "enemies' to attack him. This has gone on for the past four hours! He owns this feeder and trellis! Others fly in but are chased away immediately and his territory is secured again! 

The phone calls and e-messages have already been received and I'm having a very nice Mother's Day, even if it is 39° and wet. I wish ALL of you "out there" to have a nice day too. 

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NOTE: each image was a separate landing!

The Lookout

After watching the hummers for a week we have decided that they really love our feeders and also that they come in from at least three directions - all the big pine trees that border the cabin. They fight like crazy. They are so quick that I can only catch them at rest. I have yet to capture one in flight! There is one in particular who I think is the "Lookout." It sits on the small metal trellis that is in one of the flowerpots and watches and watches - one time for about 15 minutes!! When this one comes for a drink, it sits peacefully on the perch and is never chased away by any others. They all perch and don't hover to drink, just bend forward. They sure love the perches on these feeders. They save energy this way. I have filled the feeders twice in one week! The pictures are all taken from indoors through the windows. 8am

4pm-rain all day

No sun to shine on my new suncatcher!

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Golf Car Ride Today

After watching the hummingbirds all morning from indoors I simply couldn't catch them on the feeders! They are sure enjoying the perches as they sit and sip away very often.

I then decided to take a ride around the lake and down the road a little way before lunch. The first thing that caught my eye was the pink Azalea bush.

As I rode down the road I took a couple of shots of Grandma Wood's empty house. Sad sight. The pile of rocks in the upper right corner of the first picture was the barn where I kept three horses - all gone.

While traveling up a private road (It's OK, I know the people) I passed the beaver pond and it looks as if they are active.

Many Pond Slider turtles live in that water and SO DOES A GIANT SNAPPING TURTLE! It ducked under before I could get a great shot but I did see its full size and ..... WOW! Guess I'll have to try again to capture this fellow. All I got was the top of its shell and a slight image under the water. The pond is down from the roadway and I'm unable to trek there but still enjoyed the experience.

SLIDER

SLIDER

SNAPPER
Dark spot on left is its head, right side is top of its shell.

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Seasonal Change

While waiting for the Flamin' Fury peaches to ripen a bit more so I can make the peach bread, I performed the changing of the attire on James. He has had his annual wood preservative treatment and was ready to be dressed for autumn.

There hasn't been a single hummingbird come to the feeder today. There were only 3 that visited yesterday. They have left and that is a sure sign of seasonal change. I'll leave the feeder out there in case a slowpoke comes by. Informational link regarding their migration is below if you would like to read more.

The annual cleaning and servicing of our propane heater was done this morning. It is a very necessary expense. This heater is our only source of heat in the cold season and has been providing our warmth since November 1, 1997 when it was installed. That is almost 20 years of wonderful product performance! 

The township road department is grading our lake road this morning. The raking is causing severe dusting of everything all around us. It has to be done, but this is not a fun time here. When they are finished they will put down a solution to control the dust but it is already too late to save us from it. I thought the tracks left by their first pass were interesting anyway. 

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Here is the link to more information regarding Hummingbird migration.

Hummingbird Information

Hungry Hummers

A week ago the feeder on the porch was accidentally broken late in the day. The next morning the Mister went to town and picked up a replacement. He tried to get one that was similar -  it is.  It was funny and yet concerning to see the little ones fly in only to be disappointed not to find their evening and early morning sweetness. They looked, and looked, then checked out every other hanging thing then flew away. As soon as I washed and filled the new one they arrived back but it did take a while for them to be comfortable and they knew something was different. The flowers were softer and the perch went all around the bottom. After just a couple of days, they were all coming (and fighting) as many as before and it was good.

At the beginning of this week I received a gift box in the mail and it contained a new hummingbird feeder to replace the broken one. Well it is beautiful! I snatched the metal hanger to use right away, but am keeping the new glass feeder for next year's arrivals. I just don't want to confuse them more this late in the season.

Guess what!  This is the very first time I have had two at the feeder, perch and drink at the same time! I take the pictures through the indoor and storm window so I can capture them better.

Did you notice the pretty hanger?

Here is what they will drink from next year!

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