I’ve noticed that the Hummers go into a feeding frenzy near sunset.I suspect they do it at sunrise too but I’m too lazy to find that out?
I wondered If I could get one them to land on my finger? Hummers have to be one of the most skittish creatures out there! The slightest movement can make them take off in a blur!
So I tried to think of a way I could get one these beautiful creatures to land on my finger?Holding ones arm out is difficult after a few minutes.So you need a brace for your arm.I used a monopod but you can use a tripod or a pole.
I’ve noticed over the last few nights that they go into a feeding frenzy around 7:45pm.So I set up some lights for filming earlier & waited.
Once I saw them starting to “flock”I turned on the camera & placed my finger near the feeding station. It took couple of minutes for one to land but was worth it.I could feel it’s little heart beating so fast! Their tiny talons are sharp but do not dig in. The hardest thing I found was the cold! Their wings are beating so fast that the breeze coming off chilled my hand!
The brown hummers with a dark throat patch are the male Rufous.The female are the ones with spots on their throat.
The Anna’s are the green ones.The males have a throat patch & the females have spots like the Rufous.The Anna’s are much larger than Rufous btw.
Tofino Photography 
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
See the Video on Wayne’s Blog :D
A labour of love to be sure Chris! I now see why I’m getting extra traffic this morning.thank you for reblogging!
Welcome Wayne :D
How happy was I when I found you didn’t mean the vehicle.The birds are beautiful and worth the effort.
Hugs
Oh indeed! I just wish I could tell who’s who! Does anyone still drive those dinosaurs btw? I just got a funny picture in my head……a Hummingbird on the hood ornament of a Hummer.
That is one bird I really wish we had here in England :)
You have no Hummers over the way? Well I’ll have to tell my friends to drop in for tea.take care Sue.
Sadly no…the closest we have is the hummingbird moth… no jewelled colours, but the little guys do a very good impression otherwise.
Yes,I have seen video of those.They look exactly like a Hummer.
Will send a few dozen via mail for your garden….or give them directions….they would fly faster than Canada Post!
They do. The first time I saw one, I couldn’t believe it… wondered how on eartha hummer had got here :)
thank you!
You made my morning with the pictures & video. I just pulled the hummingbird feeder out of storage yesterday. I am impressed with the swarm you get.
Very happy that I made your morning! Yes,they do swarm! It’s amazing to watch & even more fascinating to be part of! Let me know how your Hummers are doing please?
Will do. Still a bit cold but they should be here soon and my neighbor also feeds them.
the collective term used for a group of Hummers is a “Charm”.
I love my little charms!
Beautiful. Thanks for adding to my vocabulary.
charmed I’m sure
What a thrill!
They are such gentle souls.thank you dropping in!
Wow…I’ve never seen so many gathered together! That was awesome!
Yes,they go into a feeding frenzy just before going to bed.I really enjoy watching them during this period.It only lasts for 10 minutes or so.To be part of it is always thrilling for me!
thank you!
Well, I never thought 8 minutes of watching a hummingbird frenzie and a human finger would be entertaining, but it was. Its like you became a limb for them to perch on. And even though your full body was not far away, they all still came to feed. They must feel very secure in your environment and/or else very hungry!!! I’ve seen them dive bomb people on occasion but not necessarily land on a person. Great! I think I will get out my feeder, clean, and hang it up. They are so much fun to watch. Thanks for sharing your fun successful experiment.
Competition for the fire log channel eh!
Very happy you enjoyed it Marilyn!
Yes,by all means get your feeder out & all cleaned up.I found the black mould that accumulates under the flowerettes is what they dislike the most.I use a old tooth brush to clean them.
Enjoy your little friends!
Yeah, LOL, competition for the fire log channel and the kitty bowl? Ah, yes, thanks for the reminder of using an old toothbrush. One friend actually dips her feeders in water with a little bleach to kill the mold. I have not tried that yet, but she has lots of returning birds every year. Thanks!
thats the one thing most people are not aware of….they ned to take those yellow flowerettes off & scrub them to get rid of that black mould.They can taste it.Whenever I see one stick his beak in & back off to another feeding station,I know there must be mould on that one.
wow!!! HL = huge “like”! <3
My Hummers & I thank you!
Most remarkable.
Incredible project for the Sugar Shack Cafe! These hummers are so excited to be under the heat lamps enjoying your super sweet nectar mix, full of joyous wonderment and gratitude for your kindness towards honoring their remarkable strength and beauty! Wonderful documentary and beautifully done, Wayne! Now that the word is out, more hummingbirds will be on their way, so you may have to add a few more feeder!
So many are coming that a drilled 6 extra holes for more flowerettes!Think I’ll drill 4 more as well for the smaller feeder.That will give me a total of 18 stations! Which they double up on.One in the air,one perched taking turns.Which means I can take up to 3 dozen without having to much in the way of line up fighting.
Remarkable hummingbird feeder, they are so blessed to have you assisting them in their journey! Awesome video!
They’re beautiful, Wayne! Do you mix a special feed up yourself or buy the pre-made stuff? They sure love it at any rate :)
I mix it myself.I use warm water at a 20% mix.I believe they enjoy the warmth of the water.Like a Hummer having a nectar tea.I think someone could make a million designing a feeder that not only keeps the nectar warm but also has warmth radiating out from the base.They would love the warmth I bet!
That’s awesome, T! What did you put in those feeders? I know humming birds love nectar but I do not know what other foods they eat.
they eat insects to get their protein.I use a 20% mixture.One to five ratio.Keeping the feeder clean is the trick.They really hate mould.The bacteria is on their beak & accumulates on the underside of the yellow flowerettes.Each flowerette must be taken off & scrubbed to get that black mould.I use a old tooth brush & scrub them under running hot water.
thanks for dropping by Noel!
Wayne, this completely made my day! So wonderful, a real charm of a video – thank you!
your welcome Adam! very happy to make your day!
Wow, truly amazing to have that many come to the feeder at one time. I think they know who provides the food to let you stand so close and to sit on your finger. :) The Rufous and Anna’s are beautiful hummingbirds! We only have the Ruby-throated here. Thanks for sharing the wonderful video and photos.
they are all part of “Wayne’s World” minion!
Reblogged this on Life and Random Thinking and commented:
I have not been successful with attracting hummingbirds but this photographer friend certainly has. In his video you will be amazed at his success. I am going to try again, I’m inspired.
The trick is to do this at sunset when they go into their feeding frenzy! They want to get as much as they can before going to bed.Also,I have my feeder very close to my sliding door.So they become familiar with me being close.If your feeder was out in the middle of the yard,I don’t think it would work or work as well?
Let me know how it goes?
This is so beautiful! I’m a bird enthusiast and just LOVED your effort… :-)
sent you a shot of Romeo.He should keep you good company.
Thank you so much!
your welcome!
Incredible, Wayne. Thanks so much for sharing with us. When a friend who lived in NY first saw a hummer after moving to CA, she thought it was a giant bee! Hummers are one of Mother Nature’s sweetest creations 💚
When I first came here to Tofino in 1990,I thought the same thing! I was ducking when I heard the buzz come close! Of course I now know that they are very very manoeuvrable & would never hit or hurt me.
Truly incredible! My two hummers have barely made an appearance this season!
your most likely in a colder or cooler environment.Nature flows & so all creatures great & small have their dance.
I live in Sacramento. It’s been the wettest winter in history, but my hummers never left. They are pretty tame but they seem to be ignoring the feeder. :(
take your feeder down & check for mould.It’ll be on the underside of the yellow flowerettes.Use a old tooth brush to clean them.Make a new solution & try again.They hate the taste of mould ….& to be honest I can’t blame them.
Let me know what happens please?
Sure, I actually cleaned it recently (and it was moldy). They might be mad at us because we extended our backyard deck which makes is a little closer to the feeder. But we have had lots of rain. Thank you :)
they don’t really care about decks.They care more about finding nectar.Your Hummer pop might be low in your area?Not sure why?
Awesome video….I am lucky if I see one or two hummers in the summer. Thanks so much for stopping by!!
I wonder why? If you live in a city,I can see why you don’t see too many.They prefer more plants,flowers.I bet if you put up a feeder you’d get more!
I’m not in the city, but I think perhaps I’ll pt up a feeder this year or at least put a little bit of sugary water to my window boxes!!
by all means yes.You could gain a little friend?
That would be awesome!!
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
I don’t use a feeder as large as this, but I have had the pleasure of hummers landing on the feeder while I was hanging it, and have held one in my hand twice. Such charming, lovely little critters!
:D
they are amazing creatures! Their feeding frenzies have stopped.They are nesting right now so their numbers have dropped dramatically.
Nesting definitely reduces their visible numbers! When the babies leave the nests, the hummers shall return…
What a wonderful video, and what an amazing experience this must be! I saw my first hummingbird of the year today. So glad to have the little fellows back!
it was a lot of fun! Everyone should try it!