"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Will you be the winter regular?

Around this part of Washington the Anna's Hummingbirds stick around for the winter.  The Rufous hummingbirds have been gone for awhile now heading south to warmer temperatures.  About 2 weeks ago I noticed an increase in Anna's hummingbirds in the yard and since the only thing left blooming for them are the hardy fuchsias I was quick to refill the hummingbird feeders.  By the end of that day I noticed there seemed to be a regular at both feeders.  Last year I had one (the hummingbird in my header) that was a real regular, especially during a much cooler than normal period of 2 weeks in which I would take the feeders in each night so they wouldn't freeze.  My little regular would be sitting and waiting for me each morning while I rehung the feeder.
While Sweet Pea and I were doing some spray painting outside we heard this little girl sitting in the Dogwood tree chirping between visits to the feeder.  She would rest there, fly to the feeder then sit in the Butterfly bush, back to the feeder and then back to the Dogwood tree again.  She continued this pattern the whole time we were out there.  It seems that during the cooler weather they are either much less shy with us or they are just too cold and hungry to care.  Maybe they know we're the ones providing them their food.

Balancing on the very tip of one of the Dogwood branches.  Look at all those buds for next spring!

The lighting was a little tricky since it was early and very overcast out.

In these two pictures I was standing right underneath her.  I love how you can see her feathers.

I wonder if she'll be our regular this winter?  If the weather is as cold as predicted I'll be busy bringing the feeders in and out each day.

And this is what we were spray painting.  The long trellis from the back fence behind the pond which has Clematis 'The President' growing on it.  The little table was $7 from IKEA and perfect for a plant.  The other trellis is in a wine barrel container that I just planted a Pieris japonica in and filled the front with the cutest purple Violas.  I love how it turned out.

I wanted to share a really good website that I use pretty often to help ID birds that I'm not familiar with.  It's called whatbird.com.  It covers the United States, Canada and quite a few other countries as well.  It helps to ID birds by size, color, location, bill shape and a lot more.  So it can be really useful for those times that you don't get to really see all the details, but maybe enough to help figure out what type it was.  Another great site to learn more about birds is All About Birds, the Cornell lab of ornithology.
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34 comments:

  1. That is so awesome that you have hummingbirds still visiting! I saw only one this summer in our garden. I have to pick up some feeders!

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  2. Love how close they allow you to get. I always admire your header photo ~ it's one of the best hummingbird photos I've seen. If only I had an opportunity like this in my garden. They are very active here and it's a major challenge to get a decent photo. Anyway, hope this one sticks around for you. It would sure help the winter go faster (if there were hummingbirds to watch).
    Great color choices on the paint too. I think the pops of color will make your garden even better than it already is...

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  3. That website sounds like a helpful website. I was just reading about your part of the country in a new book I have and am really awed about the climate and how you can have hummers!

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  4. Wonderful shots of the birds.Your story of the birds was very sweet.

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  5. I didn't know that Washington State had hummingbirds that stayed all year.

    I live in BC and we also feed the local hummingbirds.
    We take the feeders in at last light and return them before sunrise in the cold and frosty winter weather. when they might freeze....there are 4 regulars and they are quite territorial in the summer but winter we may see 3 at the feeder and one sitting on a branch in view of the feeder guarding it.

    Our new kitten Pepper has a perch near the window where we hang the feeder and she "talks" to them and they hover close to the glass checking her out!

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  6. So sweet, the little Anna's. I sure miss Peetree- we worried that whoever moved into our old home wouldn't notice him there and feed him-

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  7. It's amazing how they can balance on such a small piece of twig. I love that top photo. She must be very tame to allow you to get that close.

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  8. We have hummingbirds here all winter too - so strange to think that they can survive. We're supposed to have a hard winter this year and I fear for the little guys.

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  9. Our hummers have been gone for several weeks, which makes me wonder about our winter ..they are usually still here. Love the colors you have chosen to paint your trellis' and stool.

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  10. Very beautiful!
    Back at my country I used to have hummingbirds staying at my garden all the time. I hope this one stays with you as well.

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  11. Waaa ... I need to move to a warmer climate. She is beautiful. What a wonderful winter resident. Thank you for the site info. And your spray painting project looks great! My latest project includes the Cornell Lab of Ornithology!

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  12. What beautiful photos, Catherine! The images would make beautiful designs on silk. How lucky to have such wonderful birds around you.

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  13. I can't imagine having hummingbirds during the winter. That would be awesome.

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  14. Dear Catherine, How very fortunate you are to have Hummingbirds over the winter. They are such elegant birds and yours seem to be exceptionally tame. They obviously recognise your garden as one of the best bird restaurants available as they are such regular customers.

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  15. Oh! What sweet birds! I feel bad for taking in my fuschia and not doing the feeder thing! Maybe someday Ill get there..

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  16. Wonderful shots of the birds, beautiful post!

    Kisses and happy weekend.

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  17. Hello Catherine,

    I always enjoy your photos of hummingbirds....you get such close shots :-)

    I am on the lookout for some additional hummingbird species in our warmer climate this winter. Thanks for the helpful website for bird id.

    Seeing your painted trellises reminded me that I recently painted my pots to add a bit of color as well :-)

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  18. Catherine, How wonderful to have hummingbirds in the garden through the winter -- well worth all that in and out with the feeders. (Easy for me to say; I'm not the one doing it! LOL) Thanks for the link to the bird ID site; I always have trouble with bird identification, so maybe this will help me. -Jean

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  19. Hi Catherine! Before your site was in front of me, I wanted to tell you that of COURSE I will be your winter visitor! ;-) Thank you so much for the link to What Bird. I've already used it, as I'm now almost positive I had a visit from a pair of Carolina Wrens this morning. I got a (terrible) photo. ha.

    I hear it's snowing in NW Iowa today. Yipes!

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  20. A hummingbird in the winter? How fabulous!! Thanks for stopping by my site and for the bird website.
    :0) We get birds occasionally that I only see a few times a year as they migrate and often can't ID them. Any help is much appreciated!!

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  21. Love the blog background...very fallish.

    I am just falling for bird watching, and was totally thrilled to hear that some of the hummingbirds will hang around all winter. We have yet to see any, more then likely we should get a feeder..LOL.

    But that pesky raccoon is always around and we worry that he will do more damage.

    How wonderful to have such a great bird ID website. I am bookmarking it for sure.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  22. Wonderful post, I am reminded to put my feeders out for the hummers that are in my neighborhood. Thanks!

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  23. I am always so amazed at the wonderful photos you get of hummingbirds! I haven't seen any lately around here. I saw a few over the summer. I'm hoping we get lots more once my garden matures.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and letting me know what to expect from my Fuchsia magellanica.

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  24. Thanks for the great post. I will definitely look up those two sites as there is one bird I've seen around here that I want to identify. I love how you can see the feathers in that one photo. What a brave little one!

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  25. The hummingbird is so cute! I'm sure she is grateful that you are providing food for her.

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  26. I remember your hummingbird that stayed around.I think it is wonderful that you have some all year long. What wonderful pictures of her. You have been busy with the spry paint. Enjoying the good weather while it last?
    Have a great weekend!

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  27. Hi Catherine,

    They DO get bold when it is chilly and the flowers are fading. I did try to plant in succession so that the hummers are always well fed. The Salvia elegans blooms through the winter and I cut it back in late March. The Mexican sage blooms forever and I cut it back when I cut back the pineapple. The Cuphea blooms constantly and keeps the hummers buzzing.

    Love these little sprites,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  28. I adore hummingbirds and still see them all over but I have yet to capture one with my camera. They are very quick.

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  29. Very sweet pictures Catherine. I know these little hummers appreciate your dedication to feeding them.

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  30. The photos turned out to be wonderful. I like the dark against the light sky. You were right about the identity of my plant. You are so smart. It was a Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake'......... It has grown so big that I need to trim it back. I suppose I will have to wait until it blooms and then trim it back. It is taking over my backyard and crowding out the sidewalk.
    Beautiful photos of your pond as always.

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  31. What a charming little visitor, I hope she does stick around and visit for the winter. :)

    I really like the new trellises & table, beautiful colours and will look terrific in your garden.

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  32. What fun! I enjoyed your hummingbird photos. Your trellises look great!

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  33. How lucky you are to have the Annas all winter. I went back and read your last year's post when you got that fantastic header shot. Isn't it neat that they'll let you get so close?
    These pics are great too. Your little gardeners must really love watching these tiny birds with you.
    Nice job with the trellises. I like your color choices.

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  34. Hello, you site is very funny he told me to cheer up .. Merry Christmas.

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