Here are other interesting hummingbird photos...I took last summer upNorth.

This is an adult male dealing with the white faced hornets that plague the feeders. The males tend to have shorter beaks than the females, since the females have to feed the chicks. The males don't.

I have an electrical tennis racket thingey that I zap those hornets with...I move the feeder to where I sit and kill several each day, then put the feeder back. It seems to give the poor birds a breather.

the second photo is a chick newly fledged from last summer sitting on the clothesline on our dock resting, grooming and stretching...quite near to where I was sitting with my camera. The fledglings tend to sit around alot as they are not yet strong enough for lots of flying.

That is a great picture of the hummingbird mrsD :).

It is always a high-light if I get to see them on a trip to the US.

The most unlikely time was in down-town San Francisco (by Pier 39) - a pair were busy in a garden area there.

mrsD,

Awesome pictures! :D
Thank you!
DejaVu

More finch action:
 

Well the finch kids must be fending more for themselves now.

Our small sunflowers have been wrecked by the weather and wind. The largest one is half eaten, but the center is not reachable by the birds. So I had hubby stake it up and right away Mr. & Mrs. Goldfinch arrived to get at the remaining oiler seeds.

It was difficult today getting focus thru the window as the plant has moved more upright and is out of the clear spot I was using.

This is the only good photo so far.

Thanks mrsD - how lovely :).

Slightly off-topic but it is almost spring here. My boy Brush Turkey has produced a spectacular yellow neck wattle, in preparation for the mating season I guess.

Working on a good picture to share...

Inspirational!
 

mrsD, this is another wonderful picture! :D

You've inspired me to be more mindful about birds/wildlife as hubby and I search for our next home.

Thanks!:hug:
DejaVu

Can't Wait!
 

Hi Kiwi,

Sounds exciting! :D
I hope you can get a picture you enjoy!
Would love to see it!

In Anticipation,
DejaVu

Yes, all birds welcome on this thread!;) I would really like to see this NZ brush turkey. ;)

I was outside today, and the finches came to the sunflower so I could take a real photo without the window distortion!

I was sitting quite far away using my zoom.

They are also still taking fluff. So they may be getting ready for another brood.

Here is my boy Brush Turkey in all of his yellow neck-wattled glory.

He has begun to refurbish his nest-mound (it is now as big as a medium-size volcano), which is a good sign for cute baby Brush Turkeys to come :).

Great close up. He's a very handsome fellow indeed. :)

That is a really interesting bird! How big is it? Does he come to you for food, etc?

Oh, I found this:

.


Looks like nesting time is complex...you are in for some interesting events! ;)

Kiwi,

What a Poser he is! No trouble getting a lady there.

Just a thought, do you serve them with cranberry sauce?:D

Dave.

mrsD, they are about the size of a very large domestic hen. Yep, they come round regularly for food handouts.

Dave, apparently they formed the basis of a nutritious meal for poor people in the 1930s Depression. Ingredients; one Brush Turkey, one stone. Recipe; put Brush Turkey and stone into a pot of water, boil until stone is soft. Throw away Brush Turkey. Eat stone.

Lol:D

Dave.

mrsD,

Another excellent picture! You have a knack for catching them at just the right moment!
The thought of another brood must be exciting?

Kiwi,

Your boy Turkey must like you? Fantastic picture!
Very interesting!


Thanks again. mrsD and Kiwi!
:hug:
DejaVu

Yes, my reflexes are still good! I don't take any mind numbing drugs yet, and I seem to understand the birds and can anticipate what they will do. Clicking ahead, is the secret. :o I do delete alot as well.

The fluff dispenser I just refilled yesterday is 90% empty already and I will have to refill it again today. So yes, I do think another brood will come this summer.

Upon closer examination of my last posted photo with both finches on the sunflower, the female now appears to me to be a juvenile. I think Dad was teaching her how to get at the seeds.
Her feathers are far less colorful than the breeding female's.
It was pretty obvious in my other photos, that this was a fledgling.

Taking the photos is alot of fun, but sometimes does strain my back muscles.;)

Thanks for the compliments, Deja. ;)

hummingbird time:
 

Normally we are not home during these last summer days and early Sept. So we don't get to see our own home hummers.

A couple of days ago we had 3 at our feeder. So it was warm and sunny and I went outside to sit in my chair and watch them. I was spritzing the feeder to get rid of the hornets...and the hummers decided to take a shower in the dripping leaves. I had not seen this behavior before and was lucky to get some photos.
Very difficult though and I only lasted an hour or so. They finally moved to a napping resting place and I went in and crashed too.
My eyes were really straining to view the screen and watch with far vision. I can't accomodate this fast anymore...sigh.

You can see in the photos that this bird was a bit damp and rumpled. ;)

Today I have been watching one little guy... he is sitting near the feeder and preening his new feathers quite a bit.
I spritzed the bush for him but he would not come out from where he was hiding to take his bath...until I left.

This time of the year is the migration south. UpNorth there are many passing thru at this time, so we keep a feeder filled for them when we are up there.

Awesome Pictures!
 

MrsD,

How exciting! :D

Great pictures, yet again!

I enjoy your narrative of your observations, as well!

It's amazing to me as to just how much deep joy I feel when you write about your birds and when you post pictures! Thank you so much! :hug:

We have had many different crews around doing maintenance on the buildings. This seems to have scared off the robins. They did not complete the 3 nests here in the same spots this year, after 3 years of having done so.

Most of the bunnies have disappeared. I see one once in awhile now. We were wondering what was happening to them. We were told a neighbor was trapping them and relocating them. I guess he had some bothering his gardens. It's very rare to see a rabbit anywhere in the entire neighborhood now. I enjoy a healthy balance of wildlife, as we are surrounded by wooded areas, we aren't in a neighborhood "downtown." I am sure the few here will re-populate the area. I hope those relocated have done okay, as I have read they can have a difficult time adjusting to being suddenly relocated.

Thanks again, mrsD!
You have been very generous to share your photos and your eye witness accounts!

With Sincere Gratitude,
DejaVu

a book you might like, Deja, and others:
 

I bought this book used, on Ebay last fall.


.


It was really fascinating. It is written in a rather eccentric style, but I found it relaxing and informative.

The book is out of print, I think, but Amazon's used sellers are quite good IMO.

You might enjoy it, Deja.;)

This Books Looks Interesting!
 

MrsD,

Thanks so much for bringing this book to our attention! :D

I was chuckling when reading the description, as some people in this area do shoot birds, while I am hopelessly fascinated by the activities of the birds.

I am very weary tonight. I plan to order a copy tomorrow!
I cannot resist! :D

Thanks again!

:hug:

DejaVu

Thanks mrsD - lovely pictures of the hummingbirds :).