Hummingbirds

The feeder next to Brigid's bum is the one they prefer to all others

A still* taken last year of the swarm (video below)

Can hummingbirds be picky?

Just for fun and out of curiosity, the spring we moved in, I hung up a cheap hummingbird feeder by the back door.
Imagine my delight when shortly afterwards there was action!
Lots of action.
I was constantly having to replenish what we called 'crack juice' because those birds were little piggies.
And mean.
From the very handy bird book CAM picked up, we discovered that all that ruckus was being caused primarily by Rufous females.
I recall my grandmother in Ohio having a few and we tried unsuccessfully in Seattle to attract them, but that was Cat Corner, so it's no surprise they passed us by.
This was exceptional, and scary.
Those fearless, little, long-beaked bitches would whiz by our heads, seemingly coming within a fraction of our corneas.
They'd whip back and forth across the road to the neighbors who were also keeping them in the goods.
My recipe was simplified to 1 part plain ol' refined white sugar to 3 parts water; no need for boiling, just stir until dissolved.
I also drop in a spot of red food coloring more for nostalgia than any other reason, I suppose. It's wholly unnecessary.
The following year I added another feeder on a Shepard's hook outside the kitchen window gathering fiery attention.
However, they do take advantage of plants, bugs and flowers in the area, as well, after fueling up on the sweets.
Some are more transient while others appear to be permanent residents and we saw enough to determine unique markings and behavior: Porgy, Safety Vest, Smithy namely.
That July, the Mik sisters even found one of their itty-bitty nests, proving they lived on the property.
(Btw, how small would those chickies be? Adorable.)

But this year I've noticed that they are getting rather choosy, like every other living thing around here.
They only eat out of a specific feeder and then only if it's a fresh mix.
I've acquired cute ones along the way: glass and plastic, various colors and sizes, some with perches, others not.
Everything I've read has said to mind the mold, it can be a killer.
Therefore, I'm fastidious about cleaning them out before refilling.
Why they insist, then, on only the smallest baffles me. (I still keep the larger ones filled out back, but for naught.)
It's also aggravating since it needs attending to more often.
Because those wee darlings bring such pleasure with their insane, spastic behavior, I humor these new desires.
This is the time of the year we are literally swarmed.
A fun game out here in the Hinterlands is trying to count the teeny, flying monsters.
Better than TV! We pull the Adirondack chairs around, sit in the yard ticking them off with our digits.
It's most challenging since they're so jerky speedy.
Last year we were able to register over 2 dozen.
That is *a lot* of hummingbirds.
Not being an ornathologist or even that interested in birds for the most part (it was CAM who purchased the book and has his binoculars at the ready by the window), I can neither explain nor comprehend their antics, only get a kick out of it.
CAM has a great talent for noticing when they void in flight, whereas I only see the (red!) remains dotting the area.
So territorial. And fierce. Such behavior from what you'd expect to be precious, sweet beings; but no!
There is much chasing around, zooming away and stand-offs paired with loud "chee-Bah-dee, chee-Bah-dee, chee-Bah-dee" calls.
Once it becomes familiar, instinct dictates ducking at the inimitable "wwhhhiirrrllll" sound of the tiny, flapping wings in constant motion coming right for you.

And as soon as the flash mob arrives, it's off again, leaving us to wonder-
What IS their deal?
See ya' next year, gals!

My favorite one, though not theirs

*CAM's fancy new phone snapped a stunning still of a bird in flight, but wasn't available in time for publication.