A thanks to our Rufus Mentor
I wish I could write a piece of poetry that could adequately express my admiration and appreciation for a certain Nancy who brought us in 1996 into the world of watching the birds that come and go on this little hilltop. We’re still NO experts at all, but sharing our life with them has brought more depth to our own life, an appreciation of ALL life and a tender love of nature.
That’s not the ONLY thing we’ve learned from Nancy. Gardening tips, composting, making cement leaves, preserving fall leaves etc etc. She is a jewel of a person who shares generously everything she may have.
This one note to Nancy: WE NOW have almost gotten all our little birds back, and can firmly say, now that we wintered our Anna’s, that BOTH species are feeding here for the summer, Nancy! I am too thrilled. I am TOO thrilled to go out an have a mild-tempered Anna let me watch him/her feed. I am TOO thrilled when a tempered Rufous will buzz and fly at me if I come close to that feeder he’s guarding. No matter the size difference, he’s fearless. How can you not LOVE these little birds.
As science confirms so many bird species are declining in America (warming, habitat destruction, etc etc), it gives me some pleasure to know I’m helping if only a minute amount.
Especially when unexpectedly, a very cold front passes through and these tiny birds have few food sources this early. They seem to sign a “peace” treaty at dusk when it’s cool, sometimes (in the pic above you can see) sharing one port if all ports are busy.
Well, we love em. Only here a few short months, it’s a real pleasure be cooking up not just the Quart every 2-3 weeks in winter, but now the 3-4 quarts at least every week. By the time the first chicks are fledges, we’ll probably max out at 6 quarts a week just for a tiny bit before some begin leaving us.
Oh well.
THANKS, Nancy for starting us on this life love of Hummingbirds and their migrations.
On a lighter note……………………some chicken humor…..Well, it was funny yesterday………………….
I AM SO HAPPY to be semi hobbling around in a boot w/o crutches. Out 3 hours yesterday, I’m a bit sore today………but THAT is progress.
Now, ON to prepare to get outside. Hey. It’s almost 70. You do NOT sit in here when it’s 70 in Portland on April 5.
i would love to have this many hummingbirds.
Apparently we have a lot of hummingbirds in our area, if only they would show up.
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your kind words. Sharing the love of the birds …especially our hummingbirds is a joy!
Now that I am no longer your neighbor but live in the lowlands of Portland, my regular “diet” of hummers are Annas. I love them dearly as they are so “loyal” that I have good numbers year round. But the Rufous have a special charm with their bold and pugnacious nature, I miss the throngs like in your picture above! Great photo! I actually had a male Rufous for all of last week… but he left and probably headed up to Skyline to a higher elevation with forests for nesting near your house!
And I had a male red-breasted sapsucker making a nest hole all weekend. First one I have seen here. (Neighbor Dave hasn’t seen one here in 20 years.) Hope he stays and finds a girl!
My garden and the creatures that live within it are my sanity in this crazy world. I can go outside take in a deep breath and look around. What a joy! So glad you and Roger share it as well.
Much love to you both!
Nancy G.