AMN,
Didn't know (but it makes sense) water thing but do know keep your feeder clean and change sugar water/Necter often, if it goes "bad" you may not know, but birds can get sick.

Call me crazy, I don't mind bees. We have bumble bees, yellowjackets (who are aggressive) and carpenter bees (big!) but no one stung in 8 years we've been here and feeder right off deck.

Know nothing about Michagan wildlife, but we have butterfly bushes off deck. They are not really attractive but we always have butterflies and I don't work, so often just sit and watch them. Right by are orange Honeysuckle vine plant DH found by woods growing naturally and it attracts Humming-birds. Of course have to watch cats who are fascinated by both.

i found one sick on the sidewalk 2 years aho

it died though

im obessed with birds i guess

there is a huge bird called a thunderbird

Nicotiana is a nice one for hummingbirds - many colors & it smells nice too
http://images.google.com/images?um=1...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

comes in differing heights so you can find a size that works
the tall ones need to be supported or they can fall over

What about bottled water Cindy? I know it sounds extravagant to be buying water for the birds, :) but I daresay it's no worse than me buying seed for the wild birds we get. Could you put out dishes next time it rains, and collect your own rainwater?

LOL, no way, I can't cross a room with a cup of coffee anymore. The nectar pre-made concentrate is CHEAPER THAN BOTTLED WATER! Only in the nation with the best water in the world do its citizens willingly pay for bottled water.

Pah leeeeze.:rolleyes:

I have a spring-fed creek nearby and my neighbor kids will fetch me a couple gallons of that now and then.

That's a much better idea. I didn't know about the creek.

I love Nicotiana, and it grows great from seeds!

the main North/South road through Belize is called the Hummingbird Highway...

in case y'all wondered, THIS is where all your hummingbirds go for the winter.

lucky me... I get to see them every day.

:D

I use sugar water in my feeders.

The little hummers love it and no artificial colors or flavors. They really like my Yuccas when they are blooming so I have the feeders next to them.

Hummingbirds are very territorial so you can place several feeders around your yard if you leave plenty of space.

I'll say they're territorial. They look so dainty and sweet, but they're mean as snakes.