I didn't know at the time it was goodbye, she left us Friday morning

[Omaha Steve]

Many of you know I spend a lot of time in our backyard with birds and animals. I always have. Since I retired almost two years ago, I have had even more time to spend with our friends.

Back in May our deer returned after spending the winter away and ate out of my hand: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027800370

We were down to our last lone hummingbird this week. Thursday afternoon I was changing her feeder. She flew up and buzzed around me making noises and acting very differently than normal. I believe she was saying goodbye, thanks for everything.

We will keep the hummingbird feeders up for bees and other travelers that stop to eat on their way South. Waiting for the hummingbirds to return next May will seem like forever.

You might remember last Sept. a hummingbird sat on my head: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027151319

Fall has always been my favorite season. Football, Oktoberfest, the Nebraska City apple festival, etc. One of the few downsides are the birds leaving to spend time where winter is warmer. Our snow birds last Christmas Eve: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027472788


We don't use chemical pesticides on our yard. We use cedar oil. Safe for us, our dogs, birds, and bees. The bees approve.


OS

[In_The_Wind]

1. It seems as if my hummers always wave a frantic goodbye before traveling south for the winter.

Sorta like ... please, don't forget me while I'm away ... I'll be back again someday.



Thanks for posting this, OS.

[Separation]

3. Sadly, I put my feeder out to late.

I put them out originally and they all had leaks and by the next day I had hundreds of yellow jackets squatting in my yard. I had to take them down, and by the time I was able to replace them all the hummingbirds had left. I did however put out some bird feeders, no birds have come to them yet. I do hope they give them a try come winter time though.

[In_The_Wind]

5. It takes a while for the birds to pass along maps to free food

and they are suspicious of changes. I had to move a decorative set of steps away from the back deck early last month and Lefty, the three footed squirrel, hasn't returned. Some of the chipmunks are back. Only a few varieties of birds are here now. Hopefully the heated birdbath will draw my critters back over the upcoming cold months.


Have no fear, your hummers will return next Spring.

[lillypaddle]

2. I'm glad you are there for them

Thanks.

[mnhtnbb]

4. I hate saying good bye to the hummers...

still seeing a few at our feeders in Chapel Hill. I suspect most of them are traveling south now.

[Zoonart]

6. Me too

I'm in the Lower Hudson Valley, NY and my hummers are gone two weeks now. Miss them.

[Ligyron]

7. I'm going to go buy some Hummingbird feeders for the winter.

Surely some will spend time in South Florida during the upcoming season?

[Omaha Steve]

8. Black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds occasionally can be seen in Florida during the winter

Much more info here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw059

Hummingbirds of Florida1
Joe Schaefer and Craig N. Huegel2

Centuries ago their plumage was used to adorn Native American ceremonial costumes. Even today, some people believe that the hummingbird's glittering plumage contains mythical powers. However, most of us merely enjoy watching these sparkling gems of the bird world.

Description
Hummingbirds live only in the Americas. Of the 338 species known, 16 are found in the United States and 3 occur in Florida. Black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds occasionally can be seen in Florida during the winter. The ruby-throated hummingbird (Figure 1) is by far the most common hummer in the state. This feathered jewel is about 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long and weighs as little as a penny (¼ ounce). Its name describes the most brilliant part of the mature male's plumage. The throat feathers contain air bubbles that give off an iridescent red tone in full light. Their backs are metallic green and they have two sets of tail feathers: two green ones in the center that cover eight outer black ones when they're folded. In females and juveniles, the black feathers have white tips; males lose the white tips as they mature.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LyraEDISServlet?command=getScreenImage&oid=13874132

Figure 1. Ruby-throated hummingbird.
Credit: iStockphoto.

[Ligyron]

10. Great site and thanks for the info.

I saw Black-chinned, Rufous and Ruby-throated Hummers in North FL during the summer, but they'd disappear once it started getting "cold" in around Nov.

Certainly gives me reason enough to go grab one or two feeders and I have the perfect spot for them!

[LiberalFighter]

9. She wasn't saying goodbye.

She was telling you she was going to be back and wanted you to make sure everything was set up in the spring.

[sarge43]

11. Bon voyage to your friend

Our gang left about a week ago.

One of the best moments in spring is seeing the first hummers around the feeder.

"Nothing is certain;
Only the certain spring."

[ErikJ]

12. This patriot gets a birds eye view of them

I saw a place in mountains of west Colorado last summer with 30 feeders on their porch and there were probably a hundred hummers feeding. It was fantastic.

[Donkees]

13. Seals and Crofts - Hummingbird

[In_The_Wind]

15. One of my favorites. Thank you

[Omaha Steve]

25. Marta & I both love that song

A live alternate version.

[nolabear]

14. That is just the nicest post. Thank you.

[malaise]

16. Sure is

Omaha Steve produces many of them

[Omaha Steve]

18. Look what you two did

[Raine]

19. Wishing her a safe journey...

and candle to light her way

[Lifelong Protester]

20. The last 'hummers' are gone from here, too,

So I took down the hummingbird 'feeders' yesterday....

[spanone]

21. K&R...

[applegrove]

22. My Aunt has hummingbirds that come up to her in May as if to say "where

is our feeder - get it up right now I'm starving".

[cry baby]

23. We still have 4 or so hanging around. I suspect they'll be moving on

in a few days. I'll sure miss watching them.

I'm in east Texas.

[anamandujano]

29. Mine are still here in South Central Texas.

[phylny]

24. In Virginia we still have them zooming in for a snack.

I also keep my feeders up for the travelers and stragglers. They go back up April 7th.

[randome]

26. My icon at work is a hummingbird. Energetic and determined creatures.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[Tracer]

27. I haven't seen my hummingbirds in about 2 weeks.

I think they may have left, but I'm keeping the feeder up a little longer in case they are still here and I've missed seeing them.

P.S. OH --- I love your posts.

[MicaelS]

28. I love hummingbirds, except when

They fly too close to my head. I freak out when buzzing things fly next to my head.

Back in my railroad days, I nearly jumped out of a caboose window 10 feet above the ground, while going 30 mph down the track, at night. A hawk moth flew in the window right by my head. It sounded like a chainsaw.

[anamandujano]

30. When the hummingbirds get close, they sound like helicopters.

[WhiteTara]

31. How do you apply the cedar oil?

I bought a sprayer, but it clogs up with oil.

[Omaha Steve]

32. Hose end sprayer comes free with an order of cedarcide

https://www.cedarcide.com/

https://www.cedarcide.com/product/hose-end-sprayer/

[WhiteTara]

33. Thanks. I'll check it out