I promised more photos of hummers, so here they are!
There were two of them on that morning, and they were taking turns chasing each other away from the evening primrose. I could hear their tiny, squeaky chirps. I'm sure in hummingbird language, those cute little sounds were actually bellows of rage. Hummers are territorial little brutes.
I'm tempted to apologize for the quality of the photos, but I've never tried to photograph such quick, unpredictable subjects.
The morning sun was hitting the flowers, but the battle progressed to the fence, which was still in the shade.
It seemed to me like they were expending a silly amount of energy driving each other away from the food.
The following day Chris confirmed that the hummers were using the scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) as a food source, too. I'll have to get some photos of that plant. It is definitely one that we'll be growing again. The beans are tasty, the flowers are pretty, and they attract hummingbirds. Win win win!
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An acquaintance of mine is a zookeeper over at the North Carolina zoo, and in their Sonoran desert exhibit is a hummingbird who is Madly In Love with her.
That they can even recognize the difference between big primates in khaki uniforms is astounding, as far as I'm concerned, but as soon as she walks by, he stops what he's doing, hangs in the air in front of her, or climbs, swoops, and displays frantically.
Apparently the roadrunner is trying to kill her, though, so it balances out...
Aren't they something? A few days ago I brought the feeder in to clean and refill and in that short time a hummer showed up and was hovering where the feeder hangs. Very persistent!
Fantastic!
I know hummingbird, but I have never seen it.
Is it familiar in your area?
Ursula - Wow! I am blown away by your friend's love-struck hummer. :D
Maureen - sometimes I think I should get a hummingbird feeder. But then I look out at the regular birdfeeder which has hung, unfilled, for the last two years, and I remember how lazy I am!
Hero - I think hummingbirds are fairly common around here, but they are elusive.
Love your post. My hummingbirds dislke my camera and only seem to hum about when I'm camera free, so your pics look great to me. Welcome to Blotanical!
Thank you Meredehuit!
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