Hummers, Orioles, Heading North!

The hummers are early, this year!!! According to Journey North ruby-throated hummingbirds have been spotted as far north as Williamsburg, VA, on the east coast, and East Ridge, TN more inland!!!

Rufous Hummers have blanketed the west coast with their presence, as well, so spring is well on its way!

If you put your feeders out, early, they will be grateful. They are on the move with few, if any, flowers to feast from, though they will also eat bugs. Your choice--invite pesky bugs to your yard, or put out your feeders without dely!!!

Don't forget those lovely orange and black birds who also will come looking to dine at your hummingbird feeders! Orioles are also on the move and farther north in their journey. They've already been reported in Raleigh, ND, and Edina, MN. Orioles will also indulge in grape jelly, orange slices, berries, and of course insects!

I can't wait to have these beautiful birds back at my feeders! --LKR

The Long Anticipation Has Finally Ended!

I've been waiting for this day to come since they last appeared at our feeders. This made for a very long winter! But, finally, as I was sitting near the window cuddling a kitty, a beautiful male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flew up to our feeder!!! It was 12:26 pm. Our feeders have been up for three whole weeks. Just in case. :-)

Reported the siting to Journey North. I always forget, but this is our location: Latitude: 44.74 Longitude: -91.51

--LKR

They're Back in Town!

My friend Wynde and I were finishing up on a leisurely lunch when we spotted a beautiful male ruby- throated hummingbird at our feeder. I had set out nectar shortly before we had that last fling of wintry weather that dumped upon us a significant amount of snow.

Then, while out on a walk, we saw around 10 cabbage white butterflies. Checkered whites and mustard whites also fly in our northern climate. White family butterflies over-winter in the pupae stage and are one of the first to emerge, come spring.

Several spring azures, tiny blue butterflies, flitted along the country roadsides around our feet. The first generation of this early emerging butterfly are darker blue in appearance than successive generations.

Why the picture of dandelions, you ask? They are among the few early flowering perennials that are essential for bees and butterflies which bloom before lilacs and mock orange bush, both magnets for these and other hungry insects. --LKR

A Few of Our Hummers...

Here are a few images of our ruby-throated hummingbirds. The male is the one with the red neck on the top left. The female is in the picture directly below. The drabber coloring enables her to blend in with the nest while she's incubating her eggs.

In the bottom photo, a monarch made a cameo appearance. I didn't even see it 'til I viewed the image on the computer!!! The female hummer is to the right of the pink phlox, and the butterfly is directly below.


Hummers and butterflies like pretty much the same flowers, so if your trying to attract one to your garden, you'll also be luring the other by cultivating the same plants. A two-for-one, sweet deal that's well worth the effort! --LKR