The Chuparosa Challenge-There's No Place Like Home

The Male Ruby Throat

Greetings all,

This was the post I was most worried wouldn't happen on vacation.  Many of you have just one hummingbird in your area, but would you be surprised to discover that it's the one hummingbird that doesn't come to Arizona?  And so for me, this post was critical since it was a challenge for myself.  Plus I love the title.  Yes today it's all about the Ruby Throated Hummingbird and hummingbird feeders.  While the pics aren't my hummingbird best, they'll do for this challenge considering this post almost never happened:)

I'm going to write about the experience as it was a true challenge.  People everywhere LOVE hummingbirds.  People buy feeders and place them up in different areas.  And what I'm about to share is my own personal experience with hummingbirds and it probably might be different for several of you.  My mother and I got into a little discussion about hummingbird feeders.  She had a fancy million dollar feeder that hasn't attracted any hummingbirds......and part of it may have to do with the fact that she hasn't switched the juice out for several weeks. 

Everyone had feeders out, but not a one was touched. I was losing time over the course of a week or so and it really came to the last day of our trip.  I think I would have been majorly disappointed had this post not happened.  In a panic, I purchased the cheap feeder because that's the one they love.  I've purchased the fancy dancy ones and they simply don't come to them.  The minute I purchased the cheap ones, I had hummingbirds all over my yard with 2 families nesting in our trees back in Tucson. They have become a part of the garden there....their cheep cheep....VROOOM!!!   None of it happening in TR!

Female Ruby Throat

On our trip, I placed my personal feeder to where I thought they would show up. Again, everyone had feeders and reported seeing one a week ago, etc. etc.  But it wasn't regular. This was like constipation for me after several days of eating cheese curds! So what was going on??!!!  I went to areas with my personal feeder and placed it everywhere and left if for days. Nothing.  Even more difficult was the absence of their voices around me.

So on my last day of vacation, on a visit to my Grandma's house near the woods.....I heard the sounds of the Ruby Throated Hummer!!!   If I told you how long I  sat waiting for this hummer to show up on my off time from family, you may have laughed.  This was serious business.  So I get to my Grandma's house and I see that she has 3 plain ol' feeders hanging off her deck.  While chatting with her, I had my camera ready on deck for this hummer.  Finally!!!  After almost a week and half, both male and female Ruby come and feed!!!!  I was so happy.  Grandmother knows best.  We sat discussing plain vs fancy hummingbird feeders and we both agreed that the fancy ones don't work.  While sitting, the hummers regularly came to visit and it was really really exciting. 

I think I understand why people get excited about hummers.  That one visit makes everyone smile....and the chance of seeing one on a feeder is amazing.  I don't take our hummers for granted but they are always around me 24/7....on my hikes, at my home....everywhere.  And they are all different.  But when you have only one species in your area....and it's the one you're looking for.....it really exposes me to how everyone feels about their one variety of hummer in most parts of the States and Canada.....special.  Now why this particular hummer doesn't come to Arizona and all the rest do???  Well it's their migration pattern.  They are spotted everywhere along the Eastern side of the country.  Some are spotted in Arizona once and awhile, but most cling to the cooler environments.  If you look at their migration patterns, you'll see a definite line from where the Ruby Throats travel. Link here

Beware of fancy dancy hummer feeders.  It may be attractive to the human eye but doesn't always attract the hummer.  This one was difficult to fill as well.  Plus you have to use a red dye.  Too much work!  And it hasn't attracted hummers to my parent's garden.

On my hummingbird guide for Arizona, this hummer isn't even in the book!!  So it was super important to get this one time sighting for this year on film.  Granted they aren't like my other hummingbird shots up close because Grandma does come first:)  But I did succeed in the challenge.  And the moral of the story.....go with the cheaper feeders.  You'll have more traffic.  My Grandma approves this message:)

A young 81!  She was my age when she became a Grandma.  In fact, I gave her the title:)!! That's the first nephew making her Great Grandma.