Welcome back!
The hummingbirds have found the feeders at our new house.
A while back, I wrote a post about how I was hoping I would have them this year after we moved last September. I find hummingbirds fascinating, and consider their arrival one of the best things about summer – right up there with open windows and juicy tomatoes.
I guess for most people, hummingbirds are not a big deal. They’ll put up a feeder or two and never clean them or change the nectar so it ends up getting all moldy. That drives me nuts. Then there are those who attract hummers and proceed to spray toxic chemicals in their gardens. I hate that even more because it seems so unfair.
I try to keep my feeders fresh and clean, so the birds keep coming back. It took me several years to get them to come to my former garden, and I hope it doesn’t take as long to establish a resident population at this place.
So far, most of the birds I’ve been seeing have been females – until last evening, quite late – when a male stopped by and had a really long feed. He was at the feeder for close to ten minutes. So, they’re here at last, and my summer has officially begun.
Speaking of being “found,” Digging RI celebrated its first anniversary last week. When we began this venture we were getting just a few hits a day, and now we get several hundred – a big deal for us! So, many thanks for finding us, and for reading our musings and rants, and I promise to try my best to keep things fresh and interesting. I also want to thank my co-conspirators, Elderbery, HerbDoc and Auntie Beak for their fascinating posts and unwavering support.
Digging RI 
Oh, how cute! I love these little birds. And I’m like you; I can my feeders clean and the nectar fresh so the little cuties will keep coming back. My garden wouldn’t be as exciting without all the birds that drop by.
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I’m with you. Summer would not be the same without our beloved hummers. There’s a mockingbird in our neighborhood that does a perfect hummingbird chatter call imitation. It drove me crazy because it was very early in the season, and I kept thinking they had finally arrived. Now that they are here, it doesn’t bother me at all!
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Congrats on anniversary – job well done. So fun to have a RI-based forum, even if the wisdom, insight, and humor are universal. Thanks to Elderberry and Dirtynailz.
Oooh, hummers are big in my book. Met my first one when mountain hiking, within 3 inches of my face. Took me a few seconds to figure out that it wasn’t a hymenoptera member.
OK, now that I wormed my way into your good grace – here’s a totally unrelated question – how about starting a general discussion on beloved gardens open to the public. For example – what do people think of Aschintully in the Berkshires – is it worth a visit? That is the only Berkshire garden I haven’t visited.
My favorite: Coastal Maine Botanic Garden offers a full day’s adventure – stunning hardscape, plantings, interesting design. And their cafe offers organic fare from their kitchen garden. Bill Cullina is hort. curator.
Thanks and look forward to your future blog…. GP
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Thanks for being a loyal reader and commentator, GP. It’s nice to know someone appreciates our efforts! I like your idea about public gardens. Why don’t you kick things off with a guest post on the Maine garden? Do you have the time to do one?
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I’ve had two different hummingbirds visit my feeder so far this year. I keep it close outside my dining room window so we can see them come and go. Last year I made a video of two birds fighting over the feeder… quality isn’t great, but it is what it is…
http://www.youtube.com/user/mpgote#p/u/4/lKw8ROJVxbE
I love these little dudes.
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Good video! I really love them, too.
I always marvel how something so simple can give me such pleasure. But then again, it’s always the simple things that make me happy. Maybe that’s why I garden….
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