Early in May here in west central Wisconsin, I can count on seeing a Ruby Throated Hummingbird hovering in front of my
kitchen window, flitting back and forth, as if to say, "there was a hummingbird feeder RIGHT HERE last year. Where is it?"
And then I know it is time to put out hummingbird nectar. I feed a 3-to-1 mixture of water and sugar (3 cups of water and 1 cup
of sugar brought to a boil and cooled to room temperature). After the hummingbirds' long trip from South America, they are
thin and hungry.
The general rule-of-thumb is a 4-to-1 mixture, but to start out in early spring I always use a 3-to-1 mixture. Later on in the
summer, when there are more flowers available, I switch to a 4-to-1 mixture.
I know it is important to wash the hummingbird feeder when I fill it to clean out any mold. I know it is also important to
thoroughly rinse the hummingbird feeder when I am finished cleaning it to remove any soap or other chemicals.
If the feeder has visible mold, I use a bleach solution (1 teaspoon of bleach to several cups of water) to kill off the mold and
mildew. Then I rinse the feeder thoroughly, under running water, for several minutes with hot water and for several minutes
with cold water.
In addition to my hanging hummingbird feeders, I set out two of those little "flower balls" for the hummingbirds — little round
balls that hold about a quarter cup of nectar. The flower balls fit into a holder that mounts on a steel rod pushed down into
the ground. The hummingbirds love the "flowers" that give them another source of food.
Usually, right around our yard, we have between four and six pair of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. Later on in the summer,
when their offspring start coming for the nectar, we have many more hummingbirds flying around the yard. Pine trees on the
east and north sides of the yard provide a perch for the hummingbirds while they wait their turn to get at the feeder.
Not that the hummingbirds are especially patient about waiting their turn at the feeder. They chase each other around and
chatter and scold. I am scolded, too, when I have the audacity to remove the feeder from its hook in front of the kitchen
window so that I can wash it out and fill it with fresh nectar. On more than one occasion, I have ducked to avoid a collision with
a hummingbird.
I have learned not to wear a red shirt when taking down the hummingbird feeder during the day. A red shirt causes the
hummingbirds to flit back and forth in front of my face, as if searching for the perfect access to this huge, glorious RED flower
they see before them.
Instead of filling the hummingbird feeders during the day and risking a collision with the tiny birds, I often wait until after dark
to take down the feeder, wash it and fill it with fresh nectar. That way, when the hummingbirds are looking for food early in the
morning, they will find a clean feeder filled with fresh nectar.
As the season progresses, the hummingbirds dramatically increase their nectar consumption so that by July, I am filling the
hummingbird feeder at least once per day. I like having the hummingbird feeder in front of my kitchen window where I can
closely observe the hummingbirds as they perch on the feeder and dip their beaks into the nectar. When the light is just right,
I can see their impossibly long tongues darting out to suck up more of the liquid or to lick off the tiny droplet hanging from the
end of their beaks.
When the light is just right, it is also easy to see why they are called "Ruby Throated" hummingbirds. The red feathers at the
base of the male's throat glow like the ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz.
All summer long I watch the hummingbirds, and as September approaches, they became more and more frantic to eat as
much as they can, in preparation for the long flight back to South America.
And then, early in September, one day it will dawn on me that I haven't seen as many hummingbirds. As more days pass, the
remaining hummingbirds leave too. Eventually I don't see any hummingbirds at all, and I know it will be many months, with a
long hard winter in between, before I can once again feed the hummingbirds that hover in front of my kitchen window.
© LeAnn R. Ralph 2004
kitchen window, flitting back and forth, as if to say, "there was a hummingbird feeder RIGHT HERE last year. Where is it?"
And then I know it is time to put out hummingbird nectar. I feed a 3-to-1 mixture of water and sugar (3 cups of water and 1 cup
of sugar brought to a boil and cooled to room temperature). After the hummingbirds' long trip from South America, they are
thin and hungry.
The general rule-of-thumb is a 4-to-1 mixture, but to start out in early spring I always use a 3-to-1 mixture. Later on in the
summer, when there are more flowers available, I switch to a 4-to-1 mixture.
I know it is important to wash the hummingbird feeder when I fill it to clean out any mold. I know it is also important to
thoroughly rinse the hummingbird feeder when I am finished cleaning it to remove any soap or other chemicals.
If the feeder has visible mold, I use a bleach solution (1 teaspoon of bleach to several cups of water) to kill off the mold and
mildew. Then I rinse the feeder thoroughly, under running water, for several minutes with hot water and for several minutes
with cold water.
In addition to my hanging hummingbird feeders, I set out two of those little "flower balls" for the hummingbirds — little round
balls that hold about a quarter cup of nectar. The flower balls fit into a holder that mounts on a steel rod pushed down into
the ground. The hummingbirds love the "flowers" that give them another source of food.
Usually, right around our yard, we have between four and six pair of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. Later on in the summer,
when their offspring start coming for the nectar, we have many more hummingbirds flying around the yard. Pine trees on the
east and north sides of the yard provide a perch for the hummingbirds while they wait their turn to get at the feeder.
Not that the hummingbirds are especially patient about waiting their turn at the feeder. They chase each other around and
chatter and scold. I am scolded, too, when I have the audacity to remove the feeder from its hook in front of the kitchen
window so that I can wash it out and fill it with fresh nectar. On more than one occasion, I have ducked to avoid a collision with
a hummingbird.
I have learned not to wear a red shirt when taking down the hummingbird feeder during the day. A red shirt causes the
hummingbirds to flit back and forth in front of my face, as if searching for the perfect access to this huge, glorious RED flower
they see before them.
Instead of filling the hummingbird feeders during the day and risking a collision with the tiny birds, I often wait until after dark
to take down the feeder, wash it and fill it with fresh nectar. That way, when the hummingbirds are looking for food early in the
morning, they will find a clean feeder filled with fresh nectar.
As the season progresses, the hummingbirds dramatically increase their nectar consumption so that by July, I am filling the
hummingbird feeder at least once per day. I like having the hummingbird feeder in front of my kitchen window where I can
closely observe the hummingbirds as they perch on the feeder and dip their beaks into the nectar. When the light is just right,
I can see their impossibly long tongues darting out to suck up more of the liquid or to lick off the tiny droplet hanging from the
end of their beaks.
When the light is just right, it is also easy to see why they are called "Ruby Throated" hummingbirds. The red feathers at the
base of the male's throat glow like the ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz.
All summer long I watch the hummingbirds, and as September approaches, they became more and more frantic to eat as
much as they can, in preparation for the long flight back to South America.
And then, early in September, one day it will dawn on me that I haven't seen as many hummingbirds. As more days pass, the
remaining hummingbirds leave too. Eventually I don't see any hummingbirds at all, and I know it will be many months, with a
long hard winter in between, before I can once again feed the hummingbirds that hover in front of my kitchen window.
© LeAnn R. Ralph 2004
| Glass Hummingbird Feeders Designed With Style & Beauty In Mind |
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Glass Hummingbird Feeders Home | Ant Moat | Parasol Bloom | Hummingbird Nesting Facts | Hummingbird Feeder Nectar Recipe | What To Look For When Buying Glass Hummingbird Feeders| Links | Parasol Mini-Blossom Gloria On Stake |
Parasol Mini-Blossom Hanging Basket Hummingbird Feeder | Parasol Mini-Blossom Victoria | Parasol Balance Aqua | Parasol Balance Blue | Parasol Mini-Blossom Gloria Hanging | Parasol Mini-Blossom Hanging Hummingbird Feeder |
Hummingbird Nectar Bottle by Parasol | Bird Brain Precious Hummingbird Feeder | Bird Brain Snitch | Parasol Bouquet | Parasol Bouquet Gift Set | Hummingbird Feeders & Glass Hummingbird Feeders | Bouquet Deluxe Heart - Flame Red
Hummingbird Feeder | Bloom shelter Hummingbird Feeder
Parasol Mini-Blossom Hanging Basket Hummingbird Feeder | Parasol Mini-Blossom Victoria | Parasol Balance Aqua | Parasol Balance Blue | Parasol Mini-Blossom Gloria Hanging | Parasol Mini-Blossom Hanging Hummingbird Feeder |
Hummingbird Nectar Bottle by Parasol | Bird Brain Precious Hummingbird Feeder | Bird Brain Snitch | Parasol Bouquet | Parasol Bouquet Gift Set | Hummingbird Feeders & Glass Hummingbird Feeders | Bouquet Deluxe Heart - Flame Red
Hummingbird Feeder | Bloom shelter Hummingbird Feeder
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Feeding the Hummingbirds
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In addition to glass hummingbird feeders, we are now offering butterfly feeders.
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Birding Guide
An online source to
bird watching and
birding in america.
An online source to
bird watching and
birding in america.
About The Author
LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books *Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)* and *Preserve Your Family History (A
Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Oral Histories).* She is working on her next book *Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam.* You are
invited to order a book from Rural Route 2. You are also invited to sign up for LeAnn's FREE! monthly newsletter, Rural Route 2 News. Visit —
http://ruralroute2.com
LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books *Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)* and *Preserve Your Family History (A
Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Oral Histories).* She is working on her next book *Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam.* You are
invited to order a book from Rural Route 2. You are also invited to sign up for LeAnn's FREE! monthly newsletter, Rural Route 2 News. Visit —
http://ruralroute2.com
Author: LeAnn R. Ralph
| A1 Glass Hummingbird Feeders |
| Replacement Rubber Stopper |
| Glass Replacement Flowers For Hummingbird Feeders |
May We Recommend
the Following
Resources:
the Following
Resources:
| Proud Supporter of |
|
| Flower Pot Hummingbird Feeders |
| Bloom Hummingbird Feeders |
| LunchPail 1 Hummingbird Feeders |
| One Sip Hummingbird Feeders |
| Best Seller!! Dew Drop Hummingbird Feeders |
| Sugar Shack Hummingbird Feeders |
Glass Hummingbird Feeders are our specialty. Here you will find information about
buying hand-blown glass hummingbird feeders, planning a hummingbird garden, how
hummingbirds build their homes, as well as general information & miscellaneous
hummingbird articles about our flying friends. Have a question regarding any of our
glass hummingbird feeders? Contact us here.
Planning on making your own nectar for your hummingbird feeder? We also have a
recipe for making a delightful, calorie-packed treat for your guests.
buying hand-blown glass hummingbird feeders, planning a hummingbird garden, how
hummingbirds build their homes, as well as general information & miscellaneous
hummingbird articles about our flying friends. Have a question regarding any of our
glass hummingbird feeders? Contact us here.
Planning on making your own nectar for your hummingbird feeder? We also have a
recipe for making a delightful, calorie-packed treat for your guests.
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| Art Nouveau ~ Green Hummingbird Feeders |
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| Pot DeCreme Hummingbird Feeders |
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| Hot Gift Set!! Hummingbird Feeders |
| Flower Pot Hummingbird Feeders |
| DewDrop Cloud Hummingbird Feeders |
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| Handheld Hummingbird Feeders |
| Check Out Our Hummingbird Feeders Gift Sets |
| Art Nouveau ~ Amber Hummingbird Feeders |
| PotdeCreme Gift Set Hummingbird Feeders |
