Re:Hummingbird Photos (TK23Blue)

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:53:30 GMT

I lived in Michigan a long time and can't recall seeing too many Hummingbirds (maybe I wasn't paying attention.) Now that I live in Southern California these little guys are every where. I have 4 or 5 that live in my backyard (or seem to) and they're always stopping by the table when we eat outside. They'll hover right over your shoulder and just sit there. They can scare the hell outta ya' sometimes-you never see them coming. :) They make that whirrrrr sound and it's pretty loud when their hanging a foot away from you. Pretty cool.

Hummingbird Photos (The Girl)

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:31:02 GMT

A few weeks ago, we went to Lake Hope State Park to watch hummingbirds get banded. If you've ever seen a hummingbird, you must wonder how big is the band? Not very! They're soo tiny!! I've never in my life seen that many hummingbirds in one area! They were all over the damn place! My niece and I each got the amazing opportunity to hold one - it was one of the coolest animal moments in my life. Right up there with watching a lioness chase down a zebra!

Something I learned - female hummers will have up to 2 nests. She will develop the contents of the egg (think of a yolk) before developing the actual shell. She will develop the shell of the egg within 24 hours of delivery. I guess its so she doesn't get slowed down!

Lake Hope Website:
http://www.lakehopestatepark.com/

Here are some of the pics:

4 Hummingbirds hitting the feeder

Hovering at the feeder

A male ruby-throat takes a break at the feeder.

Using baby diaper pins to hold the bands in place. Allen Chartier banded approx. 28 hummers in about 1.5 hours.

A possibly pregnant female.

My little friend in my hand. She was there for about a nano-second before she was gone.
(Yes, that is the Michigan watch I'm wearing)

An innovative way to attract the hummers for hand-feeding. Using the red of the McDonald's cup as a lure. The actual feeder is a floral water holder with red pipe-cleaner used to attract them.