New Hummingbird Feeder

When my parents were here I actually saw some hummingbirds out front. I decided to get a new hummingbird feeder. The old one is hard to clean and has gotten kind of gross. I got this one at Home Depot. It is glass and mostly metal (with some plastic.) The only reason I put in the red liquid is because it came free with the feeder. Normally I just dissolve sugar in water. The red dye might actually be bad for the birds and it isn't necessary to attract them. I have yet to see a hummingbird feeding from it, but I haven't really been watching.

My Joy, Her Torture

I'm so tickled that we have had so many hummingbirds at our feeder lately. I often even see one chase another from the feeder. It seems they don't like to share. I've heard the very silly myth that hummingbirds never stop flying or land. Well, I see that myth debunked every day.

While I enjoy the hummingbirds, Bailey does not. Even if all she can see is its tail peeking down from the far side of the feeder, she cries.

To try to capture a photo of the hummingbirds I sat out on the balcony in my rocking chair--just waiting. A hummingbird came right up to the railing and chittered at me. I don't think I'd ever heard one make noise. I snapped a couple of photos of them near the feeder, but didn't get this one until I gave up and came inside. I got one of two of them, but it was blurry.

I don't like birds, but I really do enjoy watching the hummingbirds. As you see in the photo--my feeder is red, but the liquid is not. It really isn't necessary to color the food, and may in fact be harmful to the birds. I don't buy any special food, I just mix table sugar with water, and they seem to love it (unfortunately, so do the wasps).

I'm going to miss the hummingbirds when the weather turns.

Hummingbird Garden

We have a hummingbird feeder on our balcony that has been attracting lots of visitors lately. Recently Ross said he saw a bird with his beak open. I looked up and saw it too. The bird was nipping at a wasp that was trying to steal a meal from the feeder. Today I actually saw a hummingbird in my mini garden. I think he was going after the tiny flowers on my basil plants.

Speaking of my garden--that last eggplant didn't make it. The plant has another purple flower on it, so we will see what happens. I have a few jalapenos growing, and lots of flowers on the plants. My basil is doing amazingly well, and the oregano is still growing. I almost wish I had two mini gardens.

Bailey and the Goldfinch

When Bailey sees the hummingbirds she does this funny thing that cats do. She cries/chirps and her jaw quivers. Lately a goldfinch has been perching on the railing of the balcony. This upsets Bailey more than the hummingbirds, probably because the goldfinch sticks around for a while. Yesterday Bailey cried and chirped (a lot)--doing that funny thing with her jaw. I managed to catch a little of it on video.