This is the scene at the local watering hole in my backyard. I inherited two large hummingbird feeders from the previous owners of the house, which in a note to me, they begged me to keep filled. They even provided a five pound sack of sugar for me to use to make the nectar! They promised that a little effort on my part would be paid back by hours of entertainment on the part of the little birds who so appreciate the nourishment. The most birds I have seen at one time at the feeder has been seven, but who knows what goes on when I am not looking?
In my past experience with hummingbirds, there has always been one bully who dominates the feeder and chases off all other comers. In my backyard however, the hummingbirds live in peace with one another and seem to realize that there is enough for all.
It is hot on my new planet, I am telling you. Flip flops and iced tea days for sure. And I don't dare go outside without my hat and sunglasses. My husband and I tried to sit out on the deck for awhile yesterday afternoon, but didn't last long, even in the shade. The only time anyone seems to venture out is before 10:00 in the morning and around sunset! It is such a change from the endless overcast 65 degree days we experienced on the Monterey Peninsula! So far, I like the warmth and think we actually will spend more time outside than we did in our previous backyard.
34 responses to “Life Chez Nicole”
How delightful to entertain such winged beauty for mere sugar water in exchange! Aren’t hummingbirds completely amazing?
I know we learn something every day, but I had no idea that the Monterey Peninsula stayed so cool even in summer. How interesting. Welcome to the warmer side of summertime and yes, iced tea, lemonade, limeade, and iced lemon water are the way to go.
Aren’t you glad this isn’t last week?!
Hugs!
How delightful to entertain such winged beauty for mere sugar water in exchange! Aren’t hummingbirds completely amazing?
I know we learn something every day, but I had no idea that the Monterey Peninsula stayed so cool even in summer. How interesting. Welcome to the warmer side of summertime and yes, iced tea, lemonade, limeade, and iced lemon water are the way to go.
Aren’t you glad this isn’t last week?!
Hugs!
I grew up in southern Calif, about a mile from the beach. I remember hummingbirds in our hibiscus bushes all the time. They are fascinating.
I grew up in southern Calif, about a mile from the beach. I remember hummingbirds in our hibiscus bushes all the time. They are fascinating.
I have one feeder exactly like yours and then another without a perch for those that prefer to ‘hover’. We spend each evening out in our lawn chairs enjoying the antics of our hummers. We did have a bully bird last year, we named him ‘Brutus’ and though we haven’t seen him this year, there is another male hanging around. He hasn’t run off any of the other birds yet but he does chase my little dogs away if they come too close…hilarious to watch. I also have some black capped chickadees that try to get the nectar from the feeder. They hang upside down and if they can get the feeder swaying, it will drip a little nectar here and there and they love it. Lots of entertainment there. By the way, if you do get a ‘bully bird’…there is nothing you can do. We just put ours on a tall ‘shepherds hook’ close to a tree so that they can hide from him and wait for opportunities to sneak out and get their fair share. Hugs…
I have one feeder exactly like yours and then another without a perch for those that prefer to ‘hover’. We spend each evening out in our lawn chairs enjoying the antics of our hummers. We did have a bully bird last year, we named him ‘Brutus’ and though we haven’t seen him this year, there is another male hanging around. He hasn’t run off any of the other birds yet but he does chase my little dogs away if they come too close…hilarious to watch. I also have some black capped chickadees that try to get the nectar from the feeder. They hang upside down and if they can get the feeder swaying, it will drip a little nectar here and there and they love it. Lots of entertainment there. By the way, if you do get a ‘bully bird’…there is nothing you can do. We just put ours on a tall ‘shepherds hook’ close to a tree so that they can hide from him and wait for opportunities to sneak out and get their fair share. Hugs…
I just love watching hummingbirds. I have one feeder but I don’t think they have discovered it yet. I did have one hummingbird getting nectar from my roses – that was fun to watch.
I just love watching hummingbirds. I have one feeder but I don’t think they have discovered it yet. I did have one hummingbird getting nectar from my roses – that was fun to watch.
Beautiful little hummingbirds! What a fun and relaxing activity to watch them. Love your flip flops! *sillysally* aka choc chip addict
Beautiful little hummingbirds! What a fun and relaxing activity to watch them. Love your flip flops! *sillysally* aka choc chip addict
I’ve never had a hummingbird feeder but this is no place to hang one as we have always had a cat. They do love my Mexican sage in the front yard and yes, there have been territory fights. Nearly every morning in fall I can spy a hummingbird resting in my frontyard tree, just waiting to see some other bird in his area to chase off! It’s good that you are familiar with your new home’s area, and already knew about the summer heat! But the evenings can be so nice to sit outside in, not like near the ocean were it is usually just too darn cold without a firepit 🙂
I’ve never had a hummingbird feeder but this is no place to hang one as we have always had a cat. They do love my Mexican sage in the front yard and yes, there have been territory fights. Nearly every morning in fall I can spy a hummingbird resting in my frontyard tree, just waiting to see some other bird in his area to chase off! It’s good that you are familiar with your new home’s area, and already knew about the summer heat! But the evenings can be so nice to sit outside in, not like near the ocean were it is usually just too darn cold without a firepit 🙂
How fun! We had a few hummers in TX, but I’ve not seen any since we moved. I loved watching them! Have a great day!
How fun! We had a few hummers in TX, but I’ve not seen any since we moved. I loved watching them! Have a great day!
You are really lucky to have the humming birds, apparently then will always return to the same place for food…..keep feeding those cute little birds.
You are really lucky to have the humming birds, apparently then will always return to the same place for food…..keep feeding those cute little birds.
Amazing…we see a hummingbird now and then, but not like that!
Amazing…we see a hummingbird now and then, but not like that!
You’ll adjust to the heat. Think of it as a ‘vacation’. ;0
You’ll adjust to the heat. Think of it as a ‘vacation’. ;0
What a wonderful gift for the previous owners to leave, Nicole! We have them here but they would rather feed on flowers than the nectar I put out for them – go figure! Your backyard sounds just like ours! We can have breakfast on the patio daily – maybe lunch if it isn’t too hot, then dinner – oh – and watching the stars after dark! Here’s wishing you many, nice, warm days out there!
Cheers!
What a wonderful gift for the previous owners to leave, Nicole! We have them here but they would rather feed on flowers than the nectar I put out for them – go figure! Your backyard sounds just like ours! We can have breakfast on the patio daily – maybe lunch if it isn’t too hot, then dinner – oh – and watching the stars after dark! Here’s wishing you many, nice, warm days out there!
Cheers!
That’s hummingbird heaven for sure Nicole! They are our favorites to watch too, be we have the kind that one always wants to chase the others away. Enjoy!
That’s hummingbird heaven for sure Nicole! They are our favorites to watch too, be we have the kind that one always wants to chase the others away. Enjoy!
How nice of the previous owners! Nothing better than watching hummingbirds! Your new home sounds like it’s a perfect fit for you guys! 🙂
How nice of the previous owners! Nothing better than watching hummingbirds! Your new home sounds like it’s a perfect fit for you guys! 🙂
Backyard entertainment–what fun!
Backyard entertainment–what fun!
Sounds like you are getting settled in and that this is a good move for all!
Sounds like you are getting settled in and that this is a good move for all!
What a lovely thing for the previous owners to do – I can’t believe you’ve got hummingbirds in your back garden!
What a lovely thing for the previous owners to do – I can’t believe you’ve got hummingbirds in your back garden!
Oh wow! Look at all the hummers! Welcome to summertime.
Oh wow! Look at all the hummers! Welcome to summertime.