Saturday, March 24, 2012

Where Have They Gone?

Broad Billed Hummingbird
On a recent trip to Patagonia, I saw several hummers that I usually don't see around Tucson.  And that got me thinking.....where have my hummers gone?  Someone is drinking the nectar, but who?  I don't see them buzzing around like normal.
And then a thought came to my tiny little brain.  Spring.  Wildflowers.  Blossoms.  During spring, it is not uncommon for your hummingbird feeders to be less visited as there is a lot out there for hummingbirds to feed upon.  Several people asked me why their feathered little friends weren't visiting their feeders and it made me think.  After research and some thought, it made me sit down and write down the answer:) Plus post these shots:)
Don't fret.  They'll be back again when the action subsides a little.  But right now, nature has an all you can eat buffet.....and really, if you were a hummer, wouldn't you do the same?:)
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22 comments:

  1. Joop ZandMarch 24, 2012 at 1:04 AM

    Lovely birds and good pictures Chris.

    wish you a very nice weekend.

    Joop

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  2. KathyMarch 24, 2012 at 1:50 AM

    Ah, mystery solved. Now if you can figure out what happened to the fireflies! I'm thinking maybe DDT killed them off in the 1950s. I haven't seen any in years. When I was a child they were very abundant.

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    1. RohrerbotMarch 24, 2012 at 8:43 AM

      I know Kathy. I don't understand that either. I remember growing up with them all around me in early summer. Does anyone notice? Do they care? For me it's the biggest mystery. They speak of disappearing bees, but what of the fireflies? I have not read nor heard a story about their disappearance.

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  3. eileeninmdMarch 24, 2012 at 4:08 AM

    Gorgeous hummers, I am sure they are not far away. I am looking forward to seeing my FOY hummer. I hope you have a great weekend!

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  4. ShySongbirdMarch 24, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Oooh, you are so lucky Chris! I do wish we had Hummingbirds here. I think out of all the beautiful birds you have in your part of the world it is the Hummingbirds I would most love to see here. They really are delightful as your lovely photos show.

    Congratulations on your recent photo shoot, what an honour to be asked!

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  5. JillMarch 24, 2012 at 5:39 AM

    I am greatly anticipating the return of my hummers! :)

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  6. Ragged RobinMarch 24, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Gorgeous photos of gorgeous birds.

    We get far less visits from birds to the feeders when natural food is available too. Although sadly, we are never going to get humming birds!

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  7. TexWisGirlMarch 24, 2012 at 6:49 AM

    i just hung up a feeder yesterday in hopes they'd be returning to texas soon. haven't seen one yet...

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  8. - Yvonaut -
    Das sind Raphael und Yvonne    March 24, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    Very nice pictures of that hummingbird!
    Many greetings
    Yvonne & Raphael

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  9. Phil SladeMarch 24, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    Super pictures of the hummers, but do they migrate from Arizona or are they there all year round? - I dont know the geography of US too well but maybe they spend the summer north of you.

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    1. RohrerbotMarch 24, 2012 at 10:24 AM

      Hi Phil,
      Tucson is a really unique area as we have many hummers come and visit us throughout the year. Two species that live in town all year round are the Costa and Anna's hummingbirds, but the Broad Billed, Black Chinned, etc all come during spring and into summer. We have so many of them that this area is a hotspot for birders who come just to view the 18+ species of hummers that live in Southeast Arizona. Some of the best areas are the canyons like Carr or Madera, but there are certainly more.

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  10. Warren BakerMarch 24, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    Have you seen all 18 hummer species Chris ? There's a challenge for you if not!!

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    1. RohrerbotMarch 24, 2012 at 11:03 AM

      I like your thinking. That would be a fun summer thing to do....I like it:)

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    2. Diana StuderMarch 24, 2012 at 11:24 AM

      and then you can work your way thru southern hemisphere sunbirds!

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  11. mickMarch 24, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    Beautiful little birds! I saw some a few years ago while I was visiting the USA and thought they were the best birds of all I watched!!

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  12. pennyMarch 24, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    Beautiful shots of the colorful little Hummers.
    This morning I spotted the first Humming bird I have seen in quite awhile. It was fluttering around our Orange Jasmine tree but it was to quick to capture any shots.
    cheers :)

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  13. GigaMarch 24, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    Uwielbiam te malutkie z długim dzióbkiem ptaszki. Są po prostu cudowne, a Ty im zrobiłaś śliczne zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam.*** I love these little birds with a long spout. They are just wonderful, and you've done them beautiful pictures. Yours.

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  14. MagpieMarch 24, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    Soon they will be back full force and I'll be ready! Thanks for the information.

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  15. Gardener on Sherlock StreetMarch 24, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    Hummers are such a treat. You certainly get to enjoy them a lot. They can certainly be excused for trying out the latest new places to dine.

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  16. Betsy Banks AdamsMarch 24, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    Great photos of your hummers, Chris... I can't wait til we get some here. But--like you said, there are plenty of flowers for them to get nectar from now...

    Thanks for those great photos.
    Betsy

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  17. Chaparral EarthApril 27, 2012 at 3:00 AM

    I just wish I had hummers to deal with period. Sweden doesn't even have crickets. How wierd is that when you walk outside ?

    When I first came here and would walk pathways I constantly expected to see lizeds dart out here and there. There's a lot of things to get use to.

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    1. RohrerbotApril 27, 2012 at 11:19 AM

      That would be strange, wouldn't it? I had a hard time moving away from Tucson so long ago. And no matter how far I travelled, I would miss it more. Then I moved back and realized this is where I will die:) I can't imagine leaving this place for long periods of time. Bizarre, I know. It sounds like you need to make a trip back:)

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