The number of hummers coming to the feeders has increased lately and I'm having trouble with feeders going empty. Of course, during the last few days that's partly because it sometimes was getting so windy that the feeders leak the nectar. But the migration is looking good! When things around here settle down, I'll try to get pics!

Yay Linda! There's a good number of hummingbirds at the feeders here already too. It's usually later in May before I see this many. They have a favorite feeder that keeps going empty, although I now have several of them hanging. It's going to be a busy summer. Hubby is telling friends to buy stock in cane sugar.

We certainly have more hummers this year than the last 2 years. They are sucking that syrup right up! Some are getting much more friendly too. I'm guessing they are the ones who have been here for the previous 2 years or maybe babies hatched here & now all grown up. We have at least 2 mature males b/c we have seen them fighting. In fact today we were sitting on the back porch watching them fight when one got knocked or fell right down into the rain gauge. I ran out there to release it right away. Oh sure, I could have had the hubs get the camera & take pictures but I didn't want the poor little thing to have to suffer with panic a moment longer than necessary. I tipped the gauge up & slid him into my palm where I felt his soft feathers & the buzzing of his wings for only a breath of time before he was humming away from me.
You can see the proximity of the feeder & the rain gauge -- but what are the odds??????

Sounds like that hummer has my kind of luck! Glad he had you to come to the rescue.

I saw a hummer the other day and I was glad as I thought they might have moved on. The firebush and porterweed are blooming and they love those plants. It's really hard to get photos when they zoom around the plants, but I don't have the energy to keep up with a feeder. I still get lucky on occasion and manage to capture a pic.

That's okay Melanie as long as they have lots of plants to nectar on you don't have to do a feeder. I'm adding more plants as fast as I can but one can only do so much at a time.

We couldn't believe it when that hummer dropped right down the hole into the bottom of the gauge! Butt first! And all in front of our eyes. It was one of those moments when your jaw drops. He fit perfectly too. Thank goodness there was no water in there! He was squawking up a storm immediately. It was so weird dumping a hummer out of the rain gauge.

I was just outside and saw the hummer again! Flying away from me, of course. I think it was heading for the Jatropha this time, which is also right in front of the firebush and porterweed. I should have told him to get in line because I had butterflies all over that Jatropha. It's a popular plant.

A few hummer shots:

I saw the male and female last night...I was thrilled but no pics yet

Ann, that must have been quite a site to see the little hummer in the rain gauge, good thing you were there to rescue him.

I have been seeing more hummers this year than in the past 2 years also, today there were 2 male Rufous at the feeder and then they had a great battle, 2 females at the feeder the same time, and a male Calliope, no photos yet.

Yesterday evening I was sitting in the living room when a male Rufous hummer came right up to the window and checked out all of the amaryllis plants and especially the bright red poinsettia that are in the window, he was so cute.

It is always so much fun to watch the hummingbirds.

Loving the hummy pix and the pup pix also. Saw my first hummer this morning on my Black and Blue Salvia. Of all my flowers, they seem to love that the most.

mellielong said:Okay, I didn't have long to take these pictures. Only took three and two turned out okay, I guess. This is the hummingbird spotted today on the Golden Dew Drop (Duranta erecta). It's a good butterfly attractor, too. This is the first time I've seen the hummingbird on this plant. Also, he flew over me and his throat was really shiny and red - like Rudolph's nose!

I think I have this plant. In my zone it dies back to the ground in winter and grows to maybe 6 feet or so in summer. I didn't know the name of it. I like your signature (?) /quote at the bottom of your posts....was always one of my favorite songs.

Thanks, and to Missy! That plant is Duranta erecta but is commonly called Golden Dewdrop. There's debate whether it's native to Florida or if it was introduced. I try to stay mostly native but there's room for a few "fun" plants in my garden, as long as they're not invasive. Glad you're seeing hummingbirds in your area! I grow 'Black and Blue' Salvia, too. I need to transplant one. Something else to add to the list of things that need done in my garden.

Hey all,

Had to share my hand-feeding hummingbird experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

How exciting Memays!! I tried to look at the video but there was a notice that said it is private.

Christine, thanks for letting me know about the settings - I tried to reset to make public, if you'd like to see the video!

Just beautiful!

Meredith, that was awesome!!

That is something!!