Hummingbirds: Birds with an Attitude

Our first Hummingbird arrived in our yard last Thursday.  It perched itself on top of the Shepard's hook in front of my kitchen window.  On Friday I placed our hummingbird feeder out with our homemade nectar, and it has been busy every since.

In Connecticut there are two kinds of hummingbirds that will frequent your feeders, they are the Ruby-Throated hummingbird, and the Rufous Hummingbird.  We have had both types visit our feeder, and they are especially active from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

I tried to shoot a good photo from the kitchen window, but was having a difficult time with the camera focusing on the screen.

I decided to go outside on the front porch and get a few shots without obstructions.  I managed to get a few with its wings in flight, but once it discovered I was outside near its food supply the show began.

The hummingbird proceeded to fly back and forth in a 3 yard span informing me to get out of his territory.  It was if he said, "I know you're there lady and I'm going to throw this tantrum and fly fest until you get back in the house."

A number of area garden centers sell nectar food for hummingbirds, but many of the food mixes have a lot of unnecessary dyes and ingredients.  I make a solution of 1 part sugar and 4 parts water.  Most feeders do not have a large capacity, so I boil 1 cup of water, and once it is done I stir in a 1/4 cup of sugar.  I let it cool, and then put it out in our feeder.  We purchased our feeder at the Audubon Shop in Madison.  There are many other local department and discount stores that stock the feeders as well.

It has been quite entertaining to watch them feed throughout the day, and perch on the various elements in the garden.  When it gets a little warmer  I will provide them a hanging basket of nasturtiums for more nourishment.