Hummingbirds

[ronny]

A couple or so years ago, I was privileged to witness a feeding hummer enjoying some protein. It was a hot windless day, and the dog-pecker gnats were swarming in their big bait-ball formations. One hummer would hover just off to the side and, very clearly, pick them off, one by one. I had no idea they were carnivorous. I've since seen slow motion video of the same thing.

 

[Okie4570]

My in laws used to summer in Durango, they had dozens and dozens of those things around their place. Loud and cool to watch up close. They could care less how close you got to them.

 

[dennishoddy]

A couple or so years ago, I was privileged to witness a feeding hummer enjoying some protein. It was a hot windless day, and the dog-pecker gnats were swarming in their big bait-ball formations. One hummer would hover just off to the side and, very clearly, pick them off, one by one. I had no idea they were carnivorous. I've since seen slow motion video of the same thing.

Never saw that. Very cool. We have a bee hive somewhere near the house. The Hummers have to compete with the bees at the feeder. There were over a hundred honey bees in the bird bath this morning.

 

[kwaynem]

I swatted a bee that wouldn't leave me alone last summer in the shop about an hour later had to go elsewhere cause their buddy's come to defend them. I usually have about 4 birds at the house

 

[deerwhacker444]

Looks like they're here....

 

[Perplexed]

Looks like they're here....

Yep. I also saw my first bat tonight, probably a tricolor (aka eastern pipstrelle). They are out early this year!

 

[dennishoddy]

Was sitting on the back deck a decade ago not paying much attention to the hummingbirds fighting at the feeder, when I heard a sound coming from one that was definitely odd. Turned out it was a Rufous male passing thru, sounded totally different than the Rubies. Stuck around for 2-3 days, then split..

General location in the state for reference? None in the Ponca City area yet. Honey bee's and wasps are thriving.

 

[lasher]

 

[lasher]

and a just fledged baby hummer

 

[dennishoddy]

Great pics lasher!

My wife does a lot of photography of our hummingbirds. I'd post them, but it eats up my metered service to post too many pics.