15_the_circle | catching up: hummingbirds

[OT from cottage renovations]

it started with the beacon.

it was over a month ago when it occurred to me that the lack of activity around the hummingbird feeder was a consequence of the absence of annuals out front and hanging baskets on the porch (as an austerity measure they have been suspended for two years now).

no floral colour -> no attraction -> no hummingbirds.
in order to attract business, one must advertise.

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

the beacon

advertising banner displayed on front porch

yes, it is identical to a Japanese naval ensign. but hummingbirds see it as a large red flower, and once it brings them in they find the feeder right away.

open for business

these first images were taken in late July:

business has been steady from one pair of hummingbirds; they're obviously nesting nearby. the male tends to hold back when I'm around but the female doesn't get flustered -- she will drink from the feeder even when I'm no more than two or three feet away.

soon they will be headed back down to Central America for the winter and by way of getting ready their feeding has increased. for hummingbirds this means that they are drinking the nectar a bit more -- and fighting over the food source a lot more.

when caught by the camera her wings and tail feathers, always in high speed motion, become abstract forms.