Tiny buzz-bombers
Right outside my dining room window, I have a syrup dispenser. To be fair, the contents are just lightly sugared tap water, but to those that frequent the fountain, this is the easiest flower around to get a good shot of nectar. I’m referring to our local hummingbirds, of course.
We were ready for their arrival, this season. Started watching the online reports of “their progress”, as the return from the wintering grounds moved up the continent. On the morning when the feeder was visited for the kickoff to the ’17 season, I filed my report. And then, I started watching the show.
These are not loud birds. Also, they are small of stature. One has adopted my monitoring antenna as an ideal perch, and he’s too small to make out features, even at a distance of several meters. I’ve tried… However, small equals spunky. The wee beasties fight among themselves.
When two males decide to dispute the feeder as a kingdom, I can hear the buzz inside. That’s what I hear, a buzz. Like some sort of clock on overdrive. Outside, I quickly spot the careening flight path, as the two (hovering mere millimeters one from the other) try to outjinx the other. On a sunny afternoon, quite colourful.
I’ve also learned that wearing a bright red tee-shirt on a visit to the deck can be confirmed as dangerous. I’ve never heard of anyone getting stuck with a beak-needle, but the risk can seem very real. Best to watch from inside, and do the nectar refills under cover of darkness.
