Close encounter of the hummer kind - Wildlife Gardeners

linrose · 07-05-2011, 06:13 PM

I was just out on the deck with my elbows on the deck rail, perusing the gardens at the end of the day as I usually do. I was 6" or so from the hummingbird feeder when a male hummer came to the feeder. He was a bit concerned about my being there, not drinking but hovering and moving around the feeder. Finally he rested and ate, then flew off as I watched from the corner of my eye. About a minute later he returned and this time he ate again immediately, then circled around my head about an inch away from me, pausing and hovering at certain intervals, either curious as to what I was doing there or bothered about it. Ever heard a hummer hovering one inch from you ear? Believe me that sound is loud when they are that close! I'm a bit afraid of the sound of buzzing wings, having a long standing fear of bees since childhood (I've gotten somewhat better since then) so it was all I could do to stand frozen while he checked me out. I think I closed my eyes because I couldn't believe he was that close to me.

Maybe it was my red glasses he liked!!!??? It was pretty cool.

dapjwy · 07-05-2011, 08:30 PM

Sounds very cool.

NEWisc · 07-05-2011, 08:35 PM

What a great experience! Nothing like an 'up close and personal' experience with a hummingbird.

linrose · 07-06-2011, 07:58 AM

Now if I could just get it to land on me! Wonder how tame they can be?

07-05-2011, 06:13 PM	#1
linrose WG Fundraising Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky	Close encounter of the hummer kind I was just out on the deck with my elbows on the deck rail, perusing the gardens at the end of the day as I usually do. I was 6" or so from the hummingbird feeder when a male hummer came to the feeder. He was a bit concerned about my being there, not drinking but hovering and moving around the feeder. Finally he rested and ate, then flew off as I watched from the corner of my eye. About a minute later he returned and this time he ate again immediately, then circled around my head about an inch away from me, pausing and hovering at certain intervals, either curious as to what I was doing there or bothered about it. Ever heard a hummer hovering one inch from you ear? Believe me that sound is loud when they are that close! I'm a bit afraid of the sound of buzzing wings, having a long standing fear of bees since childhood (I've gotten somewhat better since then) so it was all I could do to stand frozen while he checked me out. I think I closed my eyes because I couldn't believe he was that close to me. Maybe it was my red glasses he liked!!!??? It was pretty cool.

07-05-2011, 08:30 PM	#2
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	Sounds very cool. __________________ "If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~

07-05-2011, 08:35 PM	#3
NEWisc Fox Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin	What a great experience! Nothing like an 'up close and personal' experience with a hummingbird. __________________ . Age is a biological fact. Old is a state of mind. I will age, but I refuse to get old.

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07-06-2011, 07:58 AM	#4
linrose WG Fundraising Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky	Now if I could just get it to land on me! Wonder how tame they can be?