FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Hummingbirds, at last!

[Dthomp2669@xxxxxxx]

Greetings Birders,
 
Normally, I have lots of ruby-throated hummingbirds from my birthday (July  
20) until October 1 here in the Charlotte Park section of West Nashville.   So 
far this year, they have been very scarce with just one or two  birds every 
few days.  Wonder if our Easter freeze took its  toll on the population or 
maybe 
delayed their nesting?  Today, however,  there have been quite a few, all 
females.  I had one glorious male here  late yesterday afternoon.
 
Many of the birds are playing chase and having fights over the  feeder.  They 
are just adorable.......AND gregarious!
 
This morning, one of my little ladies performed a stunt I have never seen a  
hummer do before.  Instead of landing on the little feeder-perch to drink,  
she lit flatfooted on the main part of the feeder and started drinking.  I  DID 
manage to get a photo of her standing there with her tiny feet all spread  
out.  I don't know when I'll get it on the computer though, as I have  
forgotten 
just how to do that.  When the HASMAT crew "sanitized" my house,  they either 
packed my instructions in one of 31 boxes or threw them  away. 
 
The grape vine that surrounds my deck is so "thirsty" from the lack of rain  
that I may lose the grapes that haven't ripened.  Many of its leaves  are 
yellowing and dying.  I haven't been able to carry enough containers of  water 
to 
its "base" to do it much good.  I was really looking forward to  having lots 
of birds in the vines when the bumper crop of grapes reached their  height in 
ripeness.  Instead, they'll probably drop off if we don't have  rain REAL soon! 
 Wish I had the energy to do a "rain dance" in  addition to saying my prayers 
for rain.  My yard is totally brown.
 
Happy birding,
 
Dee Thompson
Nashville, TN
 
 


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