Friday's Hummingbird Farewell 09-30-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  For many, this is the last day of the work week.  For all of us this is the last day of the month of September.  This is also the last time we'll see the hummingbirds this year because they have left my house on their migration to Central America or Mexico.  I will certainly miss them, their distinctive hum, and their chatter.  I've learned a bit about their habits.  When they return next year I will have more feeders and more plants that they may enjoy.  I'm hoping they bring some friends along when they return.

I hope you had a wonderful Friday.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Monday's Peek-A-Boo Hummingbird 09-19-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday.  I am so lucky that I was able to capture this precious hummingbird today.  I've been watching this little 2 to 3 inch bundle of chattering energy for the summer and I will miss her and her buddies very much when they migrate back to Mexico or Central America later this month.  Today is the first time I have ever seen her stretch her neck and peer out at me.  I think she may have increased her height by another half an inch or more.  She's just another of those things that makes me smile.

I hope you had something to smile about today.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Thursday's Hummingbird Feeder Visitor 09-01-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  Look who I found visiting the hummingbird feeder today.  I didn't notice him at first, but I heard the hummingbirds chattering and saw them flying around but not eating and then I saw him.  It's one thing for an ant to cross the moat, go down the glass and into one of the petals for the nectar, they're small and hardly noticeable, but, a praying mantis is very noticeable to a little hummingbird.  Through the glass you can see the shadow of a hummingbird wanting to eat, but won't sit and feed with the mantis.  So, I started doing a little research about the praying mantis while I was writing this and found out something very disturbing - the praying mantis preys on hummingbirds and is capable of capturing, killing and eating the hummingbird.  YIKES!!  The article, along with a photograph, was on Snopes.com and I believe that site.  After reading that and before finishing this, I went outside to check the feeder and the mantis was still there.  I tried to shake him off but he would not leave, so, I took the feeder over to the garden and pushed him off my feeder!  He's still alive and can have all the garden insects he wants, but he cannot have any of my precious hummingbirds.  I guess we all want and need to protect what's important to us.

I hope you had a terrific and protected Thursday.   Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday's Hummingbird 08-26-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  My little hummingbird friend - let's call him Friday - is coming in for a landing.  He's a very welcomed visitor.  The problem with Fridays is - just like my hummingbird Friday - they come in amidst much anticipation, give us a few thrills, and then they're off again.  Fridays just never seem to last long enough.  But, all good things must come to an end, I guess.  At least Friday will be back again next week for more fun times.

I hope you have a thrilling Friday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Hummingbird 08-17-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  My little hummingbird friend is coming in for a landing.  I am certainly happy to oblige him, his family and friends with the sweet nectar that gives them fuel.  

I hope you had a great, fuel filled day.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Lantana Thursday 07-21-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  This is more Lantana from my yard in South Carolina.  This pretty little flower helps feed bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, along with other insects.  So, I like it that this little, delicate and colorful plant stands tall and graces my yard helping to keep the eco system healthy in my area.

I hope you had a happy and healthy Thursday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Tuesday's Hummer 07-05-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  Want a little something sweet today.  This little hummingbird does.  He paused just long enough for me to get a still picture of him.  I am grateful!  We noticed hummingbirds around the house a few weeks ago and promptly went out and bought a feeder.  Roxanne informed me that, while hummingbirds may be attracted to red, the red food coloring used for their feeders was not good for them.  Instead, I bought a clear liquid and, well, you can see that it worked.  The red on the container was enough to lure them in.  We have three that come by and feast - but they are really fast so it's hard to get a good photo.  I was fortunate that I was able to sit in the heat for a very long time (it seemed) until I got what I wanted.

I hope you were able to get what you wanted today.   Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Hummingbird Monday

Copyright AJ Horton

Hummingbird Monday.  Did you know that Hummingbirds are the smallest birds, coming in at about 3 inches?  Did you know that they are the only birds that can fly backwards?  They can also fly forward, right, left, up, down and upside down.  Did you know that they flap their wings at a rate of 80 times a second?  And their heart beats about 1260 times a minute?  Yep, if you check out www.Defenders.org, you can find other good info on hummingbirds.  One other thing I know about hummingbirds is that they have their own song - Hummingbird - by Seals and Crofts.  You may want to check it out on YouTube.  It's an oldie but a goodie.
One thing all that info can't give you is the feeling you get when you see one of these little wonders in action!  My oh my they are amazing!  My friends had this set up on their back deck in coastal Georgia and several hummingbirds come and eat.  They are mesmerizing to watch and when they arrive, that is all I want to do - watch and make photos.  
I hope you have a wonderful Monday - one where you don't feel like you're flapping your wings at 80 times a second.  Find and enjoy today's nectar like this little hummingbird.  
Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.