OT: Hummingbird experience

Oh! I haven't read a tale that fascinating in ages! It was so vivid, it was like I was there. What a treat!

I used to sit in my garden where a pair of hummingbirds would flit around beside me as I sat on the raised rails. At first they screamed at me (I imagine to warn me to get away from their food supply), but eventually would come beside me and take the nectar from the flowers. But I would NEVER have thought to do what you did or even come close to the results. I'm envious as heck!

Dianne

I love to sit next to the butterfly bushes this time of year - I get buzzed frequently by the hummers and the hummingbird moths!

Cheryl

"Joan E." ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

I have heard that if they are stressed they burn up their resources pretty quickly and can become comatose for short periods of time, I am glad to effected a rescue, they're just too lovely.

We have an emergency pull cord for the automatic garage door opener. I was continually having to rescue hummers from the garage until I covered that red handle with black electrical tape. I guess they thought it was a red flower hanging there in the garage. I don't have to rescue them anymore. They are fun to watch but they have tiny brains.

Cindy

This such a wonderful happening, Joan . We have a big Buganvillia on the front of our house where at least 3 , some years 4 pairs of Humming birds nest. In the Tiny front garden under the Buganvillia i put 2 big bowl with water , anf thus we have daily visits of all those birds , drinking , bathing in those bowls. I am also favinated by the way they weave their nest. mirjam

I never even thought about what vocal sounds they made, until I heard this one chirp a couple of times!

Joan

I can vouch for them becoming "comatose". A couple of weeks ago one bonked into my office window and landed on the ledge outside. There was no way for me to get to it since we have the sort of windows that don't open and I'm on the 4th floor up...the poor thing lay there twitching for a good half hour, then all of a sudden shook itself awake and flew away ^_^ I hope it learned its lesson!

I have heard they have to eat c> "Joan E." ,> and entertained us with

How true! I couldn't figure out why she flew against the ceiling constantly. It was like she couldn't fly *downwards*, although I know they can/do. She also checked out the red handle on our opener! :)

Joan

Do you add sugar and red food coloring to it? That really attracts them!

Unfortunately, I have *no* idea where they nest, even though we have very few trees around us. They are fun to watch, though.

Stay safe! Joan

I wouldn't bet on it, after watching this one only fly near the ceiling for 3 hours! :)

Joan

"Joan E." ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

Joan, do NOT add the red food colouring, really bad for them. So long as the feeder has red plastic on it, that will do. An ornithologist told me they have difficulties with the food colouring. It's the colour that bring them in, and as someone said, they will even hone in on red handles !

Thanks, Sheena! I had never heard that! I personally don't have a hummingbird feeder, so they're in no danger from me (as long as they stay out of the garage!!!!)

Joan

Isn't it just the most incredible feeling? We had one fly into the office one afternoon, and even turning off the lights didn't get it to find the door again. It finally wore itself out to the point where I could catch it, using a plastic grocery bag as a catcher's mitt, but of course I let it go as soon as I could get down off the chair and out the door to free it.