Sunday, October 13, 2013

Safe Journey Little Hummingbird

 
 
October 5th was the last day that I saw a hummingbird at the feeder. There were some pesky yellow- jackets that also wanted some of the sugar water and I just happened to snap a photo when the bird looked over at me as if to say, "Hey, could you not get rid of this guy?". 
 
This incredible little bird will fly all the way to Mexico and will return in the Spring. They fatten up as much as possible before the long flight.  I would like to think that I helped this little creature on its journey.  Adios amigo...goodbye friend! 
 
The hummingbird is the smallest bird that we have seen in this area. I want to tell you about some of the bigger birds that Richard and I have seen, but that has to wait for another post.  Yes, I do love birds, in case you were wondering.   I hope you love them too!

COME ON, PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN AND GET RID OF THIS WASP!

43 comments:

  1. These are great shots! As the saying goes, you were at the right place at the right time.
    I love hummingbirds. They are amazing. I have a theory of why they let a person get up so close to them. They are just too fast to catch!
    Another theory is that even if a predator decided to catch one, there is not enough meat to make it worth the effort, all feathers and bones!
    Hummingbirds are one of my favorites.

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    1. I love to hear that low buzzing sound behind my head when I am in my backyard, I know the hummingbird is near! Such beautiful tiny birds and so fascinating to watch!

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  2. A tiny jewel with wings. What a wonder they are, to fly all that way and back again.

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    1. I love that description Mrs Micawber

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    2. I really should have said "Adios amiga" since I am sure this is a female...the male Rubythroat has, as the name implies, a bright red throat! And in the sun, it shimmers like a jewel.

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  3. Those are wonderful photos, Kay. We didn't get any hummers this year and I was really disappointed. I love watching them. Aren't they just fascinating to watch? xo Diana

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    1. Yes! I love all my birds but the nice thing, this feeder is so close to our house, we can observe them closely.

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  4. What great photos! I love hummingbirds and used to always feed them when we spent the entire summer at Chautauqua. I hope they do well with their migrations!

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    1. Me too! I hope they will fare better than the Monarch butterflies have this year!

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  5. I'm sure all the hummers appreciated your sugar water very much!

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    1. I hope so! And I know my other birds liked the fresh water put out for them too!

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  6. If I were a humming bird, I'd make sure to stop at your feeder more than once before my trip to Mexico!
    Not sure birds are really bothered by wasps. Wouldn't they regard them as prey more than anything?
    Your header picture is beautiful and makes me want to go there for a nice long walk!

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    1. The yellow-jackets will see the hummingbird off every time. You wouldn't think so, but they most certainly do. (Also, look how much space is on that feeder, you would think the wasp would be happy with that back side of it!)
      Meike, you would LOVE that boardwalk over the lake, and the trails on either side of it! :-)

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  7. What a beautiful little bird. You're so lucky to find them in your garden - no chance of that in the chilly north west of England! x

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    1. Oh, but you have your robin and blue-tit to enjoy! I FIRST began to love the birds when I was in England, so I have England to thank for my love of birds!!!

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  8. You got a great picture of your hummer. I try but can never get one. It was probably the first week in October that they disappeared here too. I'm looking forward to their return. Usually about the beginning of May here.

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    1. It's very hard for me to take photos of birds, especially hummers!
      I will look forward to seeing these little birds again in the Spring!

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  9. So so beautiful. You have to marvel at the wonderful spirit in that little body -- I really don't think it's just instinct that makes animals capable of accomplishing all the astounding things they do.

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    1. Wonderful spirit indeed! How can anyone not marvel when they see such a creature! :-)

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  10. Oh how I love hummingbirds. My favorite birds. Aren't they adorable?? I love this shot.

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    1. I only wish I could get a photo or video of the hummingbird when it comes to my glass door and dances with me! Watch out for that one!!
      Thanks for your visit!

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  11. Love that Stone Mountain photo. And the hummingbird - the bee there too.

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    1. My header photo is from Lake Alexander from Panola Mountain but I hope you have gone to Stone Mountain recently and walked over the Covered Bridge and walked on the trail on the little island there, it's gorgeous!

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  12. Yes, i love birds, and i can at least tell a hummingbird from a heron, although i can't tell you what kind of hummingbird or heron it happens to be!

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    1. HA! Are you a mind-reader? You have guessed one of the big birds I want to tell you about! This hummer is a ruby-throat (female). If you ever see a bird and don't know what it is, just look it up on the inter-net and see if you can ID it! xx

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  13. Here in SoCal, our hummers stay year-round. I had 3 of them at my feeder just yesterday.

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    1. Year-round hummingbirds? LUCKY you!!! Thanks for your visit! :-)

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  14. Oh gosh, Kay......that last photo......literally takes my breath away. Such a gift from Nature.

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    1. You would LOVE to see these hummers so close to our house. Remember I told you that they dance with me sometime? "Dances With Hummingbirds"...that's me!!

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    1. Graham,
      I have to tell you that the movie "Birds" made such an impression on people here that MANY adults I have spoken with are AFRAID of birds! I know it's crazy but it's true!! Even if they are not afraid of them, they don't take one bit of notice of them.

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    2. I sometimes wonder about people Kay. Even eagles and vultures are more afraid of humans than any human should be afraid of them.

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    3. You might think I was being funny when I mentioned the movie, "The Birds" but I can't tell you how often people bring that up to me!
      And I often wonder about people, all the time these days!

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  16. Yes, I love to look at birds, too. There are no hummingbirds in Hawaii.

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    1. I know you have lots of birds there but I must admit, I would miss this little bird if I couldn't see it!

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  17. These wee birds fly incredible distances. I hope he returns.

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    1. The sugar water at our household must be what brings them back to Georgia! :-)

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    2. Oh, what a pretty bird! The color is very vibrant and the beak is really pointed! Great capture!

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    3. Oh, you would love the hummingbird, surely a bird that should make all stop and marvel at its beauty!!

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  18. I've always marveled at these beautiful jeweled creatures. I don't see them much here in Illinois, but I've loved seeing them in California and Canada. I will be coming back to visit again when my life is more settled. It's awfully hectic right now... fun, wonderful, loving.... but very, very hectic.

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    1. Hey Kay!
      It's always nice to see a comment from you. Don't worry if you are not able to visit me for a time, I will appreciate it whenever you are here! Take care!

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  19. so sweet. our last one left last week, too.

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    1. You might have more than one hummingbird in Texas, we only have the Ruby-throat, but I am very grateful to have it! xx

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