For the last 2 years Brandon and I have enjoyed hummingbird watching from our Kitchen/ Dining window. In these 2 years we have learned quite a bit about the speedy little fliers that we never knew and have enjoyed many nights at the table watching them feed, fly, and fight.
Never having grown up with feeders I was amazed to learn how aggressive and territorial hummingbirds can be. On more than one occasion we watched as one bird body slammed another into our window or saw mid air boxing matches. They fight mercilessly to maintain power over the feeders and their little squeaks can be heard from dawn to dusk as they dive bomb and charge one another. The little green one is the biggest and meanest of them all and more often than not he is the one instigating the fight.
Noticing that they prefer our perch feeder over our free standing one we recently went out and purchased a second perch. This morning I readied another batch of sugar water, filled the new feeder, and made my way out to replace the free standing feeder with a filled perch feeder. Unable to hang the feeder I moved to take down the almost empty perch feeder and replace it with the full one; I had plans to have Brandon come out and hang the second perch later. As I reached for the feeder I heard the buzz of wings just above my head and slowly crouched lower and turned my head. Lowering my hands from the feeder and looking up I saw the nasty little green hummingbird make a wide circle around me and the feeder before taking off. Taking the hint, I was quick to swap out the feeders and make my way back inside. As I stepped back to head for the door the little bird came zooming back and was headed straight for my head. Instinct kicked in, I ducked and out of the corner of my eye saw him take off again hearing what sounded like a triumph of a squeak; or what I call an evil bird laugh!
I filled the second perch feeder and asked Brandon to hang it. Even thought he laughed at my near death experience with a hummingbird he still asked if the little green guy was out there before stepping outside. I stepped out behind him to scope out the trees next store and provide watch should Brandon need it. Maybe we won't hang the third feeder, after all, it seems dangerous...
My niece Avery Letta Asher was born at 35 weeks this morning around 12:40AM. Weighing in at 4 lbs. 14oz and 18.5 inches long she is beautiful! They have been having some trouble keeping her temperature regulated but otherwise she is happy and healthy.
