Probably last of the hummers

[Al Hansen]

The night time temps are beginning to drop and that will get most of the hummers on their way to Mexico. The magic number seems to be 60F. Anyway, with teal season just around the corner, that is all right. Time for a change so that I can settle in for duck season. Like I tell my wife, it only comes once a year, just like football season or Nascar racing----it just comes once a year! She still won't fall for it.

I set up my chair about 30 inches from the hummingbird feeder and was using my 28-135mm lens.
Al

 

[tgentry]

I have greatly enjoyed the shots of the hummers this season Al. Watching a couple at my feeder outside my work window this AM. Just the garden variety Rubies, but still fun to see the competition the pesky little things put out.

Trip.

 

[Mike, B]

Always love to see your photos Al!
It's been a banner year here for the rubys', with two very successful hatches being pulled off....
Counted over 30 on the back deck last evening. My wife is well into the 4th 25# bag of sugar! LOL!

 

[Tom L]

we had 7 hummingbirds at our back yard over the summer

just last week we noticed 5 have left, there are still two hanging around. but I think they will be gone in a week or so.

 

[Tom Roberts]

WOW! Great photos!

 

[Al Hansen]

I have greatly enjoyed the shots of the hummers this season Al. Watching a couple at my feeder outside my work window this AM. Just the garden variety Rubies, but still fun to see the competition the pesky little things put out.

Trip.

Thanks, Trip. By the way, they have found that the rufous have started to extend their area. Who knows you might see one of these wayward birds one day. They, too, are very territorial like your Ruby Throated.
Just like duck season, I always look forward to spring time when the little ones head back here.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Always love to see your photos Al!
It's been a banner year here for the rubys', with two very successful hatches being pulled off....
Counted over 30 on the back deck last evening. My wife is well into the 4th 25# bag of sugar! LOL!

Mike, that is great news. Did you find the nests and watch the youngsters grow? There is nothing in this world that quite compares like sitting on the deck or your patio and watching "many" hummers all trying to feed at once. Sounds to me like they all know about your place. Good job!
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

we had 7 hummingbirds at our back yard over the summer

just last week we noticed 5 have left, there are still two hanging around. but I think they will be gone in a week or so.

That is a good sign when you start having multiple birds in your area, Tom. Sounds like you have something around---flowers and feeders, maybe that they really like. Hope you got some pictures of them.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

WOW! Great photos!

Thanks so much, Tom. I am glad you liked them.
Al

 

[Tom L]

we had 7 hummingbirds at our back yard over the summer

just last week we noticed 5 have left, there are still two hanging around. but I think they will be gone in a week or so.

That is a good sign when you start having multiple birds in your area, Tom. Sounds like you have something around---flowers and feeders, maybe that they really like. Hope you got some pictures of them.
Al

My backyard has a lot of flowers and we put up two feeders at the beginning of the summer when we noticed one around. I can never seem to get two at a feeder at one time though, they all fight and chase each other around, one feeds at time, then flies nearby on a lookout branch, and runs off the others if they come too close, when the sentry is chasing the other off, one more will come in and steal a drink , very fun to watch

 

[TimJ]

Those western hummers must be much nicer to each other then our rubies are. About the only way I think you could get two in frame at one time in my yard would be if one had another impaled on it's beak.
We have quite a few hitting the feeders and flowers right now so I think they are starting to move through. Still some males around, they seem to leave first, so we still have some time left with them.

Tim

 

[Al Hansen]

Those western hummers must be much nicer to each other then our rubies are. About the only way I think you could get two in frame at one time in my yard would be if one had another impaled on it's beak.
We have quite a few hitting the feeders and flowers right now so I think they are starting to move through. Still some males around, they seem to leave first, so we still have some time left with them.

Tim

Hey Tim,

Hard to explain. I have seen rufous males be fairly territorial but not like Rubies. It would be impossible for male ruby to guard a feeder with 30 or 40 hummers flying all around it trying to feed.
Enjoy them while they are there.
Al

 

[greg setter]

Thanks Al!