I don't like using an event calendar. But I do. Bob absolutely needs one. And though I have few appointments to keep track of, I know I would forget them if I didn't have them written down (typed (uploaded)) :)
Sometimes I wish I could keep track of everything like the birds do.
I don't know how they do it, actually. No cell phones. No teeny tiny pockets to keep a calendar in.
In spite of that, they show up from one year to another often on the exact same day. Out of 365. The same place, the same day. Of course, one can never say if who they are seeing is the exact same boy or girl bird, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised. Hummingbirds have been known to live up to 9 years. Usually the boys don't make it that long...they are always fighting for territory...I would say it just wears them out faster. In spite of the fact that the girls really do all the work of raising their teeny tiny families.
Anyway, last year, the first hummingbird to my yard showed up on May 14. In a snowstorm. Looking like THIS:
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| What you can't see is the 6 inches of snow on the ground |
This year, same day, May 14 (no snowstorm), I was quick enough to get one bad shot of a hummingbird. I'd like to say it's the same guy as last year's early arrival.
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Since that day, there have been one or more humming marvels in our yard. They chase each other over the top of the house to claim the feeder in the back as well as the one in the front. They buzz and chirp and scold and do loopy mating dances. And just once, they showed up in an amazing SWARM that I will never forget (especially since I have video to prove it!)! |
Check them out here:
wild swarm video two
Did you know a swarm of hummingbirds is called a charm? I didn't know, either. Makes you wonder who comes up with these alternative to calling it a flock words.
Like gaggle of geese. A murder of crows. A siege of herons. A murmuration of starlings. An ostentation of peacocks. And a bouquet of pheasants. Very fun. Some day I would like to be the namer of something....like paint colors (like "Enjoyable Yellow").
Anyway, in somewhat chronological order, here are my favorite hummingbird pictures this year so far:
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This is either a net Bob put up to prevent the neighbor's cat from jumping up to the bird feeder,
or a handy hummingbird hammock. |
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| If you get high enough in the tree, you can guard both feeders at once |
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| See? It is a hammock |
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| It's a GIRL! |
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| Puffed up because it's cold, or to impress the girl... |
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| She was impressed |
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| Hammocks are good for snoozing |
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| Now it's serious... |
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| ...sharing the feeder |
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| Her turn to guard the feeder |
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| And my favorite so far...puffed up in the cold, ruby red gorget flashing at me through the window |
What marvels they are!
Only God can make a tree.
