Sunday Morning sunrise.
I check the nest. Big Baby is hanging off the side, which I understand is one step towards fledging--he's strengthening his legs.
Little Baby is in the nest. But where is Mrs. Hummer? I wait. She does not appear. The sun comes up.
Mr. Hummer appears and drinks from the closest Agave.
He goes to the nest. What's going on? Where is Mrs. H?
He appears to be trying to feed the babies.
Where is Mrs. H? She does not appear. Big Baby continues clinging to the side of the nest. Mr. H. works at the nest. I leave him to it--there's nothing else to do.
Yesterday, after seeing how fast and frantic Mrs. Hummer was, I put up a hummingbird feeder on the patio to help her. It is far enough away from the nest not to endanger the babies, but close enough to provide extra food. I think natural floral sources are healthier, but this is a special situation.
After coming inside, I see Mrs. Hummer over the koi pond, eating the tiny flies and gnats that constantly swarm above the water. Finally! Where has she been? Building a new nest?
Then she comes to the feeder for a long drink. A very long drink.
She finishes her drink and zips off around the house, towards the nest.
I check the nest a little later. Mrs. H. is nearby, watching.
Big Baby is hanging off the nest again, flapping his wings, using his wings to propel himself back into the nest.
We went out to breakfast and ran a few errands. Back home, I checked again. Wait! What?!?
They were gone. No little bodies on the fluffy leaf duff below the nest, no feathers scattered to indicate a predator took them. Mr. Hummer was around, but no sign of the Mrs. I felt a bit lost, as though I'd come to the end of a long novel, only to find the last few pages missing. Back inside, sitting by the window, writing up this post, I saw two hummers by the feeder, hummers quite small and not very colorful, hesitantly but competently flying.
All's well.
I check the nest. Big Baby is hanging off the side, which I understand is one step towards fledging--he's strengthening his legs.
Little Baby is in the nest. But where is Mrs. Hummer? I wait. She does not appear. The sun comes up.
Mr. Hummer appears and drinks from the closest Agave.
He goes to the nest. What's going on? Where is Mrs. H?
He appears to be trying to feed the babies.
Where is Mrs. H? She does not appear. Big Baby continues clinging to the side of the nest. Mr. H. works at the nest. I leave him to it--there's nothing else to do.
Yesterday, after seeing how fast and frantic Mrs. Hummer was, I put up a hummingbird feeder on the patio to help her. It is far enough away from the nest not to endanger the babies, but close enough to provide extra food. I think natural floral sources are healthier, but this is a special situation.
After coming inside, I see Mrs. Hummer over the koi pond, eating the tiny flies and gnats that constantly swarm above the water. Finally! Where has she been? Building a new nest?
Then she comes to the feeder for a long drink. A very long drink.
She finishes her drink and zips off around the house, towards the nest.
I check the nest a little later. Mrs. H. is nearby, watching.
Big Baby is hanging off the nest again, flapping his wings, using his wings to propel himself back into the nest.
We went out to breakfast and ran a few errands. Back home, I checked again. Wait! What?!?
They were gone. No little bodies on the fluffy leaf duff below the nest, no feathers scattered to indicate a predator took them. Mr. Hummer was around, but no sign of the Mrs. I felt a bit lost, as though I'd come to the end of a long novel, only to find the last few pages missing. Back inside, sitting by the window, writing up this post, I saw two hummers by the feeder, hummers quite small and not very colorful, hesitantly but competently flying.
All's well.
One book completed (with an exciting climax to boot!). Maybe Mrs. H felt the fledglings needed an incentive (hunger) to get moving. I wonder if she'll go another round with Mr. H for a sequel? At least he was somewhat attentive (and a girl can get sentimental around Valentine's Day). Do they ever use the same nest? Perhaps you'd better cut that rose back quickly!
ReplyDeleteThe nest is a sagging mess that needs rehabbing, and the rose has dropped most of its old foliage, so I'm guessing if she goes another round it will be in a new location. Mr. H was hanging around, looking pretty forlorn, most of the day, so she might have dumped him.
DeleteI'm going to miss the saga of Mr and Mrs Hummer and Hummers Jr..but a happy conclusion! Perhaps Mrs Hummer was so happy with the accommodations at Chez Piece of Eden she'll be back for another go-round.
ReplyDeleteShe seemed like a very experienced lady--she may take the rest of the year off. Happy you enjoyed the saga!
DeleteWhew...!! Had me scared for a minute there [takes yoga breaths]. Wonderful photos, suspense, and a happy ending... it's all good :~)))
ReplyDeleteI was scared also. Seeing them at the feeder, stretching up to reach the access points, was the biggest relief I've felt for a while. It was good!
DeleteOh thank god. It's been kind of a hard day and I just wasn't up for a sad ending.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't up for one either. I hope your day turned out just as well--pouring rain there? Not that pouring rain is a bad thing.
DeleteHappy ending!!
ReplyDeleteWhew! What a relief!
DeleteWell I'm sorry you missed them fledge, but glad all is well. Thing is, will Mrs H now give the nest a bit of a makeover and start again?
ReplyDeleteThe nest needs considerable rehabilitation, like your very charming but very old house, and the location is not so good.
DeleteI've been starting each morning with a cup of coffee and a quick hop onto the computer to read on the progress of your hummingbirds. Amazing stuff. Thanks for continuing to share the great pic's and the "life story" of the birds. Looks like the chapter is coming to a close, but it was great while it lasted. Happy gardening.
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed the progress, and what better way to start the day than with coffee. Happy gardening back atcha!
DeleteYou had me worried, as until I actually find a hummer nest in my own garden, I'm considering these to be "mine" -- hope you don't mind sharing! It must be difficult to fledge as a hummer -- never really used their wings before then BAM full throttle or you're on the ground. :)
ReplyDeleteThey were flying more slowly than Mrs. but far better than one would expect. It's rather like going to a foreign country and seeing a little kid speaking a foreign language with no trouble at all--you think, it can't be that easy, can it? But it is--they were born into it.
DeleteWhat a wonderful account of and look into this special event! Thank you:-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the saga!
DeleteGripping stuff but thankfully there was a happy ending! It's been fun following their progress on your blog!
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed it! I was honestly worried the ending would not be happy, but everything appears to have gone okay.
DeleteWonderful. The Von Hummer family is alive and well. And Dad, somewhat belatedly, is pitching. (Draw whatever human/avian analogies you care to.)
ReplyDeleteHas anyone been able to pin down what flavor they are? And the kids—are they young Ms. Hummer and young Master Hummer, or if two of each, which? I’d like to think that next year, a debutante Ms. Hummer, if there is one, might return to her birthplace to begin a family of her own.
Hmmm...put that way, it sounds like Downton Abbey! I don't know enough to say what the kids are.
DeleteThis morning, Mum and the kids are thinning out the gnats over the pond and emptying the feeder, while the Mr. is out front, wondering where they have gone. Ah! Mum just chased Mr. away from the feeder. The story goes on...
Guess I have no choice but to put this book down...such a page turner.
ReplyDeleteAt least the ending was happy! :)
DeleteHow precious! Little darlings. Maybe Mrs H needed a brief holiday. Glad to hear the story ended well.
ReplyDeleteShe's either built a nest somewhere else, or she's taking the rest of the year off. I have seen the Mrs. and the youngsters at the feeder several times already today. They seem to be doing very well.
DeleteI am so happy to read all is well with Mrs Hummer, Mr Hummer and their little babies who have now fledged. Dear Hoover you have cared and watched out for this little family for such a long time and it was so sweet and kind of you to put the bird feeder there to help Mrs Hummer. It has been lovely watching their story here and the great photos and it has been a happy ending. Bless you!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
I am happy to report the two youngsters as well as Mr and Mrs Hummer are well and enjoying the feeder outside the kitchen window. They've all made a visit in the past few minutes.
DeleteGet well and heal up, Dianne!
Thanks dear Hoover, one more complicated heart test to go, if all is OK and the infection clears I am having my surgery on March, 10th.
Deletexoxoxo ♡