One of the delights of summer is the return of the hummingbirds, whose delicate and ethereal appearance belies their fierce territorial nature.
When we sit on the patio, we can hear the buzzing of their frantically beating wings and their high-pitched twitters as they try to drive each other away from the feeders and flowers. Often, one sits guard on the feeder, keeping a sharp eye out for any hummingbird intruders. With other birds, all of whom are larger, the hummingbird is more circumspect. As Falstaff once noted, the better part of valor is discretion.
Silly little things. If I could speak hummingbird, I would tell them that there is plenty of food for all, that they waste more energy chasing each other away than they would if they just settled down to drink the sugar-water we provide.
But, alas, I don’t speak hummingbird, and I doubt they would listen to me even if I could. And, really, who am I to criticize? Do humans, as a group, listen any better to good advice, to pleas to share resources with those who have too little? Some do, yes, but all too many don’t, especially those at the top who have so much. I won’t mention any names. I’m sure readers will know whom I’m referring to.
But back to hummingbirds. Nowadays, I use the camera in my phone to take photos, and it is not easy to catch a picture of hummingbirds as they zip from feeder to flower. But I am persistent, and I have a couple that aren’t too bad, which I’ve used for this post.
In about a month, the hummingbirds will leave Maine for their long trek south, to Mexico and Central America. How can such little birds make such an arduous journey? Somehow they do, and perhaps their fierce nature helps them.
In the meantime, we will enjoy the buzzing of their wings and the twittering sounds hummingbirds make as they zoom in and around the garden, over the house, and into the woods.
Notes From the Hinterland 
I look forward to feeding your little friends when they stop in my yard during migration. I have Pride of Barbados and red yucca, both of which they like. (I no longer have a feeder because they prefer the plants.)
And soon down they will go to your neck of the woods! Nature is so amazing. Fun to read how they prefer your plants to the a feeder.
Amazing and delightful tiny critters! I read their average life span is about four years, but I swear I’ve had the same one visiting my gardens for longer than that. She’s always alone and she loves the Major Wheeler honeysuckle vine right outside my kitchen door, which has multiple bloom cycles all summer. She’s not afraid of me and will feed even when I’m standing mere inches away. This year I put out a hummer feeder, hoping to attract more, but nope! Just the one little gal! I guess my garden is her private feeding ground.
I’m glad you have hummers in your garden too! So fun to watch.
They are amazing! How sweet that you have a returning hummingbird. Is it possible that she keeps the others away?
They are one of the highlights of summer for sure. I was watching some this morning. Our feeder has been busy all summer, and I’ll keep it filled until they are on their way.
They sure are! We, too, keep our feeders filled until they are on their way.
Hummingbirds are one thing I really miss up here in our eerie above the St John River. But I do have my 3-month old hummingbird tattoo; my granddaughter and I got matching hummingbird tattoos when we visited them in Ottawa in May!
A hummingbird tattoo? How cool!
They are fun to have around… we have lots of flowers and multiple feeders to reduce squabbling, but I think ‘feisty’ is in their DNA!
I think you are exactly right. Maybe we should put up a few more feeders. We have two, but they are next to each other.
So good to see hummingbirds. We don’t have them here but that particular flower, I have on my balcony.
Enjoy summer.
Thanks, Rupali. We so love seeing those fierce little hummers.
I am eternally amazed at the journey these tiny creatures make. Miraculous!
It sure is! It’s incredible to think about how far those tiny birds fly.
Hummingbirds like most living creatures subscribe to ‘survival of the fittest’. Nature is a good example.
Yes, indeed! However, other birds are more tolerant of other birds in their species. Goldfinches tend to travel in bunches, and our darling chickadees seldom fight each other. Still, I love those fierce little hummers, whose nature it is to fight each other. At least, for the most, part, no blood is shed.
Great post, Laurie – You captured them in your photos beautifully – not an easy feat. And you captured their ethereal, feisty, territorial personalities with your words.
” If I could speak hummingbird, I would tell them that there is plenty of food for all, that they waste more energy chasing each other away than they would if they just settled down to drink the sugar-water we provide.” And THIS! I think this exact thing every time I see them out there fussing with each other.
Yup. If they would just drink and not fight. But it is in their nature to fight. Sigh.
It sure is!
Hummingbirds are so cool. And it’s hard to believe they even exist, considering how tiny they are. I guess they are my favorite type of bird.
They are one of mine, too.
Such a treat to see hummingbirds in your garden Laurie, I’m in awe of the journeys they travel 💖 xxx
Right? How can such a tiny bird travel so far?
Great catch with the picture! I haven’t even tried. They are visiting our backyard here in Kansas too. It is our second year to have red canna blooms which they are visiting.
Thanks, Lorna! Not easy to catch them with a phone camera. Red flowers are their favorites, so I can see why that are attracted to canna blooms.
Ive only ever seen them on TV and the likes as hummingbirds dont venture to our shores. It must be amazing to have them going about their business in your back yard
It is wonderful to have them in our backyard, and every year we look forward to their return.
How lovely to see them in your garden.
Such a treat!
I’ve yet to see one this year, but I suspect they’re around, visiting gardens and feeders with enthusiasm. When I had the opportunity to watch a good number of them a couple of years ago, two things impressed me: their flightiness, and their feistiness. It’s fun to listen to them, too –that little twitter’s a sure sign of their presence, even when they’re not yet seen.
For such a small bird, they sure make a lot of noise.
I find your post delightfully uplifting: what a joy to be able to watch these tiny birds in your garden!!
Thanks, Anne! We love hearing and watching those little darting beauties.
You have managed to catch two. Our hummingbird hawk moths are equally difficult to catch
Wouldn’t it be nice if the hummingbirds and the hawk moths posed for us? 😉
🙂
You make me miss the very first blogfriend I ever had online – from Chicago, he had hummingbirds in his back garden, was good at quietly catching them with the camera and posting them over with a smile . . . retired from the small screen now . , , but I still smile and remember . . ,
Oh, such a nice memory!
Amazing that you can get hummingbird images with your phone! I’m having trouble this year getting images of them at all, even sitting here in my living room with my long lens on. They are so fast! I have one couple (I think it’s only one couple) this season. I think maybe they had their nest out front in one of our spruce trees. Because lately every time I got out the front door there are two of them zooming around out there. But maybe they’re out front a lot because that’s where I planted the zinnias. Pretty soon they will start the war on the hummingbird feeder in preparation for their flight south. I will miss them!
Let me tell you, it’s not easy. There are lots of reject pictures. They are indeed fast. And like you, I miss them when they head south. Summer is well and truly over when they leave.
We are enjoying them as well. They came late this year and typically leave by early September. We’ve become a bit used to their presence, but are reminded of how special they are when one buzzes by a guest, who hoots in glee.
I do love hummingbirds. I’m away too much in the summer to put out my feeder but will do so before it gets cold — and cross my fingers!
How lovely to be graced with these beautiful visitors in the summer months. They look joyous!
We call them hummers around here, and they are indeed a delight. You’ve described the territorial tussles beautifully. Do you know the type that visit Maine?
We have Ana’s hummingbirds here so I’m always a bit surprised when we travel and I’m introduced to a different beauty.
As for sharing resources, I shake my head. I’m sending you a virtual hug.
I really enjoyed this piece, Laurie.
Excellent photo! Are the hummingbirds doing well in this heat?
I love hummingbirds and enjoyed these photos. In my previous life stage, I sat on the back deck of my house and watched a similar show. Thanks for sharing.
They certainly do spend more time fighting than eating!
Such gorgeous, tiny birds! I marvel at how they can survive such a long trek south. I’ve only seen one or two here this season — they must be finding sustenance elsewhere.
Great shots of the hummingbirds!! They do love to chase one another away and it’s always a wonderful sight when they buzz close or stop to enjoy the lovely flowers.🙂
Those are beautiful photos, Laurie. Hummingbirds are a delight to watch! They are quite curious, and quite territorial. They love our orange trumpet vine here, and have staked it out as their own.
Did I ever mention that Hummingbirds featured prominently in the on-going made-on-the-spot story Younger Child and Loving Husband used to tell each other? And that we only have Sunbirds in Singapore?
I can just about hear them whirring from your patio …
Your persistence paid off Laurie! That is a brilliant photo of the bird drinking. The birds here are already singing their ‘Goodbye’ songs but it is the way they come back each year for a while then go again which makes things interesting. Perpetual August would be boring!
Many thanks! Yes, perpetual August would be boring. Love the changing of the seasons, which are distinct in Maine. No question about which season we are in. Ever. 😉
Oh how I adore hummingbirds! And how they adore the scarlet runner beans I plant every year to frame our kitchen garden ❤ My youngest cousin’s middle name was Hummingbird and I keep coming back to getting a hummingbird tattoo in her honor (she passed away very young). Someday, perhaps. In the meantime, I think of her every time one of those beauties zips past me on their way to the next snack 🙂