The swarm gathers.

[JB]

Transient hummingbirds are gathering at The Hideout on their way south.

This shot show only one of my three feeders and only shows the birds willing to approach while I am standing by the feeder. There must have been over 100 of them swarming about this morning.

 

[KaGee]

Re: The swarm gathers.

That's awesome JB!

 

[i386]

Re: The swarm gathers.

This shot show only one of my three feeders and only shows the birds willing to approach while I am standing by the feeder. There must have been over 100 of them swarming about this morning.

That's cool JB. I don't know if you're into photography, but if you set up a tripod and a remote shutter release I bet you could get some pretty amazing photos. Personally, I've never seen more than about 6 or 7 of them at a time.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Same thing here JB, it's been so hot it's been a chore keeping them(feeders) filled.
They are really going at it this morning and it's cooled off some.
Maybe they are getting ready to head south also.

 

[treedancer]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Yea JB, the wife has noticed the adults missing for the last week ,she says that the only ones still around are the youngsters , says that they will be heading your way by the end of this month.

 

[JB]

Re: The swarm gathers.

That feeder, BTW, was empty in 20 minutes.

Running out of sugar. They have gobbled up 50lb this summer.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: The swarm gathers.

That feeder, BTW, was empty in 20 minutes.

Running out of sugar. They have gobbled up 50lb this summer.

Hmmm? Makes me wonder how many wing beats they get per ounce of sugar.

Good picture, thanks JB!

 

[QC]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Kind of a hijack, but hopefully I'll be forgiven. I have been working on getting some better pics of Hummers. It finally dawned on me that the secret may be a flash. A couple of these are without and will be obvious, but you can definitely see the benefit. Also, I want to know if you guys are seeing these same species. I believe I have two.

Ruby throated

Rufous

Rufous attack 1

Rufous attack 2

Colorful mini-swarm

And this last one is a photo method that I quickly learned was seriously flawed!! Maybe JB can figure it out . . .

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: The swarm gathers.

That last one looks like under the feeder.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: The swarm gathers.

I will ask if anyone has ever seen an albino one?
My mother has a magazine with a picture of one in it.
The only one I have ever seen.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Very cool pics gents!
Around here we only get 1 or 2 at a time (one feeder). If another shows up it's a mini dog-fight (not the Michael Vick kind). Mucho fun to watch IF you can keep your eyes on them.
There must be a bunch though as they empty the feeder in just a couple of days.
Only ones we get here are Ruby-throated.

 

[Tinlizzy]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Thanks for the pic JB

I have never seen so many hummers at one feeder.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: The swarm gathers.

I have never seen so many hummers at one feeder.

Me either. Maybe mine are a different species. Mine must be hummingbirdus consideratus: They take turns feeding one at a time.

Cool pics QC...

 

[JB]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Great pix, QC!!

I see three species. The one with the sapphire throat band and the white spots on his tail (3rd pic) is a Black Chin, The Ruby Throat is obvious and the rusty one (4th pic) is a Rufous.

So far I have only IDed Black Chin and Ruby Throat here, though I did see one "Ruby Throat" with a golden throat. The greatest majority of the late summer swarm are Ruby Throat.

I have that same magazine, Spinner. The one with the pic of the albino. It is aimed at little old ladies, but I get it and love it. The LOML gave me the subscription.

Those that know me know I am not a little old lady.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The swarm gathers.

fantastic photos, we only see one at a time.

 

[mcconnell63]

Re: The swarm gathers.

JB, Do you use plane suger water or something else. We use sugar water in ours and don't always get birds showing up. Al

 

[JB]

Re: The swarm gathers.

I use a 4:1 sugar water mix, Al, with a drop per 1/2 liter of food color.

The food color is for me. It doesn't seem to matter to the birds.

My "swarm" has been growing for 15 years. Each year I get more. The first few years I had only about 4 summer residents and maybe 10 transients in the Fall.

I guess you need time to get recommended by Hummer travel agencies.

 

[QC]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Same mixture, but we don't use any color. Our squadron has grown steadily over the summer and it is the first year we have had feeders. We have talked to our neighbors and others in our town and most of them have only a few birds. We have had swarms of 12 - 15 and almost always have at least 5. We think the difference is that we are pretty consistent at keeping the feeders full, very rarely are both out at the same time. No proof, but that's our first thoughts. Also I see the biggest concentrations just after sun up and around sundown and even into twilight. We have a lot of trees surrounding our yard, and they perch there between feedings. That may also be one of the reasons for our success. If I do let the feeders go dry, even for an hour, they come one at a time and try, but no swarms. As soon as I fill them the word gets out . .

 

[Mike722]

Re: The swarm gathers.

Those are great pictures. My youngest son loves hummingbirds. He even puts flowers in his hand and they will come right up to him on the porch.