The Bird Show

I think birds know when you are carrying a recording device. If I don't have my iPhone, all types of photo-worthy antics ensue.  If I have my iPhone, nothing.  Nada.

Yesterday afternoon, it was gorgeous, and after work, I sat in my backyard with my laptop and without my iPhone (which is also my camera).

So, what did I miss and what can't I show you?

First up were the hummingbirds. Since I am in New York State, they are ruby-throated hummingbirds.  Originally we had only one, a female.  We now are fairly certain we have three.  All look like females but I understand all juveniles look mainly the same as adult females.

 I have two hanging baskets and a planter with  and miscellaneous perennials that attract hummingbirds.  We've also had (first year feeding the birds) a window mounted hummingbird feeder on our dining room window.   

Here are some hummingbird pictures I've taken from that window.   These were both taken July 26.

The pause that refreshed, middle of photo, wings flapping so they are blurred

Note there is only one hummingbird in each pictures and that is because hummingbirds are extremely territorial.  They do not share.  If two come at the same time, one will be driven away.

In our yard, also, is a clothesline we no longer use, but have kept up. It's a few feet away from the feeder and the two hanging baskets.  And then there is me, sitting.  Our yard is small.

So of course, while I sit with my laptop, two hummingbirds drop by - again and again. I suspect they have gotten used to me but this is the first time they haven't seemed to mind my presence.  I'm sure it's because I don't have that weird box I hold in my hand from time to time.

At one point both sat on the clothesline, just a few inches from each other.  Were they, perhaps, siblings? I've read that hummingbirds spend much of their time perching to look for danger. But these were so close to each other.  They love that clothesline.

But no sibling love here.  One then tried to feed on a flower and was driven away by the other.

Another time, one was perhaps a foot away from my face, feeding on cuphea, an annual they love, and chirped at me while I held my breath. 

Cuphea without hummingbird

A hummingbird chirp sounds a lot like a kissy-kissy sound.  But I know I couldn't have photographed it.  I do want to maintain this trust they are starting to show.

Taken July 27, this shows the clothesline and the two feeders, and lots of house finches

We also have a yellow bag feeder (beloved by goldfinches, but they have plenty of wild food this time of year and don't appear much) and a squirrel proof feeder where we offer safflower seeds.  We are visited by cardinals, chickadees and house finches.  Lots and lots of house finches.

Since I didn't have my cameras, two chickadees got into a fight.  The female cardinal, rarely seen recently, (the male visits more frequently - in the spring they came together) feasted at the feeder. No camera to capture that.

Oh well. 

It was so fun to watch the bird show.  I'm a little surprised to see hummers checking out an orange geranium flower and some of our purple hostas, in addition to the fuchsias.  They did it again today, because I had no way to show you.

Seems red in the photo, but this geranium flower is orange

As I started to write this last paragraph, another hummer flew into our small yard.

OK, birds, I get the message.  Next time I bring my phone with me! 

The bird show.  Sponsored by Nature.  There for our enjoyment.