Karen, Puma, got hummers? (1 Viewer)

[Cakepro]

Happily, we have lots of hummers here at the new house! Haven't shot any pics yet, but I will. The landcaping at the house already has well established flowering plants that the hummers are enjoying, and I finally put the feeders out yesterday. We have a buttload of swallowtail butterflies here too.

How's the hummer population at your places so far?

~ Sherri

 

[KarenHorn]

Karen has been slacking. Normally by now we have 18-25 feeders up, but this year she only has a couple up. We've had hummers, but not near as many as we've had in the past.

 

[Cakepro]

Haha, when she gets them all up, you've got to take a picture of your backyard.

 

[KarenB]

Haha, when she gets them all up, you've got to take a picture of your backyard.

Mostly they are all in the front yard, and I have 7 out now. My excuse was that I was out of sugar. 8O Yeah, that sounds good, lol. That, and I'm due for some new feeders.

I had a broadtailed hummer yesterday, but the male RuTh kept chasing it off....argh.

 

[AggieBrandon]

We still have quite a few in my area too. I've only seen ruby throats though.

B

 

[Bakapuma]

I have had two females that have been around for about 3 weeks. They have been feeding voraciously. I am guessing they each have a nest somewhere close by. They typically have one final brood before the long trek south. The males have not showed up yet, but with the recent cool fronts I know they are not far behind. I have only seen ruby throats, but on occasions we see black chin and rufus hummers as well. OMG, I have had alot of gulf frits BFs and plenty of monarchs. I have atleast 50 gulf frits cyrsalis and about a dozen monarchs. We had a new arrival this year in long tailed skippers. Plenty of cats on the lima beans. Could not find any of the crysalis though.

 

[Bakapuma]

Just as I thought had male hummers yesterday

 

[Cakepro]

I'm going to have to put out more feeders because I've got one seriously territorial little hummer here, fending off several others from feeding. The front yard is full of bright pink pentas, though, so some hummers are feeding out of the flowers rather than the feeders.

Wish I had some Gulf Frits here...my passion vine took off unexpectedly and I have like 3 miles of it now. The flowers are really cool but I want some flutter-bys!!

 

[MarkieB]

I have about 15 around. Not nearly as many as last year.

I have no idea how you know if they are male of female, and I am almost afraid to ask!

I dont know the types either but I have at least 4 distinct types. One is VERY interesting with a spot right below it's thoat that makes it look like it has a hole in it's neck.

I also found a new feeder this year that is very kool. It is round with 8 flowers and keeps those darn pesky bee's away. I got it online.

Hope fully more are around the corner soon, I miss not having 40 in my yard!

 

[Bakapuma]

Typically the females tend to be more drab and lack the bright colors. In the houston area we see the ruby throats the most often. On some occasions black chin hummers may be seen. Depending on what side of town you line in, rufus hummers can be seen. The further west, the more often you will see them. BTW, I have found that the Glass containers with the large red plastic flowers are the best. Try and stay away from yellow. Yellow attracts bees. If you have bee guards that are yellow, dont use them. They can actually hurt hummer's beaks

 

[MarkieB]

Indeed feeders with yellow are bee collectors. You are 100% correct on that!

 

[Bakapuma]

I brought a couple of crysalis up to school last week. The gulf frit hatched on friday. These 12 grade kids have never seen anything like this before. They acted like elementary school children

 

[KarenB]

I've had lots of new hummers show up the past couple of days. This weather is bringing them in. If you don't have that many right now, they will come. Put out more feeders and just give it time. Mostly right now I have adult and immature males. The one that MarkieB saw was probably an immature male. Every year for the past five years I have a female Rufous that shows up in mid-August and a male Rufous that shows up the end of August and stays all winter. So far I haven't seen either one.

 

[MarkieB]

Your right,

I was out of town for the weekend, and bam, when I get back I have MANY more.

I have an interesting color variety I have never seen in years past.
I have one that has shades of orange in it. Very unique to me!

 

[KarenB]

Your right,

I was out of town for the weekend, and bam, when I get back I have MANY more.

I have an interesting color variety I have never seen in years past.
I have one that has shades of orange in it. Very unique to me!

Sounds like it could be a rufous. They're not uncommon anymore, but exciting to see. Usually they are the most aggressive. If it's just the flanks and mid way down the tail that has the orange, it could also be a broad-tailed. The rufous has a lower pitched chuppity-chup call, whereas the ruby throat has a higher pitched chatter. You'll notice a broad tail's wing whir that sounds like a tiny chain being drug along the pavement.

 

[MarkieB]

I really hate my camera stinks.

This bad boy has orange all over except his head.
The wings, bod, and tail have orange. Very pretty.

 

[KarenHorn]

Does it look anything like this?

 

[MarkieB]

Yep thats the one!

 

[MarkieB]

Got a couple of pics I like today!

 

[KarenB]

Nice pics.

I have some really good ones on film, but I haven't been able to get a decent one with my digital camera. I'd have to pull out the scanner to show ya the good ones.

Anyway, we had a large influx of hummers today. They were swarming all over.