Fanfare~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life

Close up wonder of a hummer’s tail. (Tap to enlarge all photos).

Hummers can hover and fly backwards.

Their tongue is longer than their body and rolls up when not in use!

They can flash their colors at will.

Hummers are joy in the garden!

The world’s smallest bird,

is quite brave,

and not afraid of humans.

Cheers to you from The Holler Hummers~

210 thoughts on “Fanfare~”

        1. Certain birds are more aggressive than others. I find the most problems with our small group of year round resident birds, who get highly offended when the southies arrive. By, June when we have peak numbers, 45+ birds, the aggression diminishes as there are just too many birds to fight off.

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    1. Yes. I think it is avian pox. This bird is doing quite well. He has had it for quite some time. So far it is not interfering with his ability to eat. They can survive the pox with scarring. It is imperative to clean feeders daily when there is a bird with pox. I run the feeders through the dishwasher on sanitize cycle and rinse them with boiling water. I use glass feeders. დ

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      1. Thank you. When I saw the photo, I researched what it could be. I found nothing. I suppose I should have re-worded my query. I sanitize mine every few days. I offer simple sugar diluted in boiled, then cooled water, as I do not appreciate the chemical and dye-loaded liquids. I refrigerate the little bit extra, offering only enough that will be consumed. The extra bit keeps a few days. I do need to make purchasing a glass feeder my priority, as I dislike the plastic, especially when heated by the summer’s heat. I will be keeping a better eye on pox possibilities. Thanks so much. I have learned I need to be better at this.

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        1. You are a very responsible person Dawn, who sincerely cares about the creatures in your care. Thank you so much for this! Hummingbirds get ill when feeders are allowed to develop mold and sit for days fermenting in hot weather. Backyard feeders have brought hummingbird populations back up to healthy numbers.

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  11. Great photos, Cindy!
    I’m always happy to see hummers. There are more of them around here in Victoria BC than decades ago. Mostly Anna’s at my place (year round), but Rufous are found in other spots in summer.

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    1. When they do that super loud and super rhythmic buzzing while darting back and forth at warp speed, it certainly gets your attention. I have had them buzz up directly to my eye and hover there many times looking at me. დ

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        1. Yes. It is so totally amazing. It is as if they may be thinking, “We are clearly more skillful than you because we can fly away from anything in an instant, and you can’t even fly, but we find you interesting.” It is such a honor. Plus, they get so close to my eyes, and I know they will never hurt me.

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      1. Ahhh….. I am honored. Thank you both very much. It does take a bit of patience and practice. I sit with them, and get into their rhythms. When we are in synch, the photos come დ

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  17. Pingback: Fanfare~ — – Echoes in the Mist

  23. They are glorious creatures, flashing colors, smooth to watch and as you said, very brave. And great pictures dear lady, to put them on show perfectly. Thank you for sharing 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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  25. Wow the hummingbird tail feathers photo is soooo kewl! I put a feeder out I sure hope hummingbirds find it! I am going to try getting plants on my deck to attract them too!

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    1. Thankfully, since there are about 11,000 species of birds in the world, it ensures that every place in the world has some fascinating birds. One of my great joys in travel is seeing all the new and amazing birds. დ

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  31. Awesome pictures! I did not realize the hummingbird’s tongue was sooo long. The picture of the tail was interesting, too. It looks like a fan. Great post!

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  46. Pingback: Fanfare~ — (Hummers from the fabulous Cindy…each photo a marvel) | Rethinking Life

  50. Beautiful hummers, Cindy! I always miss “mine” from Sacramento. Don’t see many here yet, but people tell me they are around. Once our trees grow and our cold weather warms more, I hope to attract some back! They are indeed very brave!

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  59. iridescent delight

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  60. Wow!! I can’t wait to show these photos to the children at school. We just read a book about a ruby-throated hummingbird and its annual migration to Mexico. Thank you, Cindy.

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  61. Wait, what? I had no idea! For years I have had the company and pleasure of hummingbird families each spring, making their home on my patio, arriving early for a little urban renewal and nest work, and departing after the last chick leaves the nest. I have observed them for hours and had no idea they could flash their colors at will! They tap on my window while I work and I see small bits of mostly turquoise and pink areas. So fascinating to know they can do this! Thanks!

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    1. Yes. It is quite amazing isn’t it! They can light themselves up. That is so wonderful that they tap on your window. Hummingbirds seem to like us. Maybe they know we love them! დ

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      1. They do tap and then hover as we are only a foot apart and I always wonder what they are saying. After the chicks hatch, I can sit quite close and observe as they are fed. They don’t mind at all. It’s sort of sad when the both chicks leave the nest, but I know they will be back next year. Thanks for the fun 🙂

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  77. The other day we saw a hummingbird in our back yard, up close and personal. And yet your photos are more impressive than what we saw with our own eyes. You have a unique way of capturing life, thank you for sharing it (and all the interesting information about hummingbirds, too!).

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