It is late Saturday afternoon and time to slow things down, clean & put the tools away, grab a bottle of water, and head for the chair on the deck. There is not quiet. The chirping of the different birds can be pretty loud as all their voices blend. I close my eyes sort out the songs of each bird and listen to the other “Creek” sounds.
That calmness didn’t last long….Zing, click click click, buzz……the hummingbird feeder frenzy is on! One Rufous each think he owns a feeder (5 in the front yard) and 18 other Annas and Rufous beg to differ. It make you grin to watch the feeder patrol chase off and scold one that has just come into feed, while another sneaks in and has a sip or two. The feeder guard spies the sneak and dives back to the feeder and the chase is on again! Actually sitting in the fight path is exciting as they buzz by you just a hairs width away. Feeling that brush and hearing the hum of the wings right nest to you gives you chills.
Speaking of hums (wing beats), each type of hummingbird has its own octave of hum. I can tell who is at the feeder with my back turned. The Annas is a low smooth hum, the Rufous has an agitated medium hum, and the Calliope has the highest pitch and is even zippier.
Almost evening, all hummers are veying for that last big tank-up before bed. There is a feeder in front of our garage window that seems to be a favorite. It only has 4 spickets band 15 birds trying to use the 4 holes. Well the Rufous owner of the feeder was dashing back and forth trying to fend off the swarm when he paused and looked into the window. There was a Rufous hen trying to get out of the garage which she had flown into. Mr. Rufous was puzzled on how to chase her away from the feeder. He darted back and forth but knew that he couldn’t dive the window. My husband saved the day or evening as I should say and open up the window and escorts her out. She was happy to be free. Evening here can get exciting .
