Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Here is this year's Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  Isn't he handsome!  The females are here too and busy making their nests.  Maybe this year, I will find a nest with the babies!!

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The hummers are back!!  This little beauty, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird is filling up on some nectar.  She just traveled many miles to get here!! She and a few males are sharing the feeders and we will enjoy their presence until sometime in September!

Want to see one of the male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds we had here last summer?

For the Love of Hummers ~

I am dedicating this blog post to my Grandmother....

She means the world to me and I love her very much....

We both share our love for birds.  Sometimes, I will call her and ask her if she saw this kind of bird, or that kind of bird, or I will say, "Can you check the bird book Gran", but one thing we know for certain is, we love our hummers.... and Gran always says, ''Make sure you put a little extra sugar in their water before they fly south.  It gives them extra energy to make their long journey".  So, that is what we do....

They are amazing little creatures.... iridescent powerhouses

This is an adult male....

He is called a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

but I call him ''Sweetie'' because he is exactly that....

Hummingbirds are known for their ability to fly backwards, upside down, and to hover. Few other birds compare in their ability to perform such aerial tricks. They also possess the fewest number of feathers ever counted on a bird.

Hummingbirds are known for their ability to fly backwards, upside down, and to hover. Few other birds compare in their ability to perform such aerial tricks. They also possess the fewest number of feathers ever counted on a bird.

Hummingbirds are known for their ability to fly backwards, upside down, and to hover. Few other birds compare in their ability to perform such aerial tricks. They also possess the fewest number of feathers ever counted on a bird.

Hummingbirds are known for their awesome abilities....!!

They can hover, fly backwards and even upside down....!!

I remember last year, we rescued a hummer.... That turned out to be a lot of fun!!  And, she had a cozy crib for the night... You can read all about her adventure right here !!!!

I am hoping one of these days, that I will be able to find the female in her nest.  I would quietly photograph her from a distance with her babies....That would be awesome!!

Until next time.... or as Gran J would say "Loads of Love" xoxo

Hummingbird Rescue

Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

WOW, our first sleep-over with a hummingbird!! It all started with our neighbor calling us to say she had a hummer on the ground and it needed to be gently nurtured back to health.  When I arrived a few moments later, a little gift box was handed over to me.... When I slowly lifted the lid, I saw this feathered sweetie, eyes closed on a pink and white cloth struggling to breathe....Her life was now in our hands!!

Eyes are closed and she is weak

We came home and I quickly made up a little sugar and water and got the syringe out.  I introduced it to her and a few moments later, she started to respond.. I held the dropper right on the edge of her beak and fed her every 10 min for about 2 hours.... (that was amazing!!!!)

She is starting to respond

We decided, since it was getting dark and she was not ready to be released, she would spend the night.... In between feedings, we rigged up a vacant 10 gal aquarium with some soft bedding and some dried branches.... We also took in the window bird feeder and placed it inside her house, hoping that she would be self-feeding by morning!!

Hummers house for the night

She is resting better and snuggled down for the night

  These next set of pictures are taken through the glass

of the aquarium and will look a bit cloudy ~~

She is thankful for the soft bed!!

Nestled down for the night!!

The next morning...............

5:30 a.m. she is practicing her flying skills

Soft landing <3

Looking strong and having lots of movement

Filling her belly and getting ready for the outdoors!!

We decided that this little feathered friend was ready to explore her life once more!!  Once outside, she glanced at us for a second as if to simply say ''thank you'', then flew to the nearby birch tree to get her bearings.... Then, in the blink of an eye, she was gone!!  It was a magical moment to have the opportunity to care for such a tiny little being.... Maybe someday she will return to say hi.... She will always be welcome here <3

The Hummers are Back !!

Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

The hummingbirds arrived May 18th this year!  The high winds and heavy rain did not stop our feathered friends from feeding and entertaining us for the afternoon!!  We enjoyed staying inside sippin on a cup of coffee and capturing some photos through the window!

 

Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

And I couldn't help but add this photo !!!!

I managed to get two focal points in the one shot .. LOL!!  One is obvious .... and if you look closely, you can see that his tiny little tongue is sticking out!!

If you would like to see some more hummingbirds, click here!

A Ruby-Throated Hummingbird!

This little fella is a regular at our feeder.

Here are some interesting facts: 

Physical Description
Average length: 3.5 inches (8.9 cm)
Average weight: 1/8 ounce (3.1 g)
Body temperature: 105°-108°F (40.5°-42.2°C)
Wing beats: 40-80 per second, average about 52
Respiration: 250 per minute
Heart rate: 250 beats/min resting; 1200 beats/min feeding
Flight speed: 30 mph (48 kph) normal; 50 mph (80 kph) escape; 63 mph (101 kph) dive