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07/11/2006 03:55:10 PM · #1 |
Hi all.
I'm really keen to get a good photo of a hummingbird at a feeder.
So, to that end...
Can anyone offer any help on enticing hummingbirds to come to a feeder?
I put the thing up, in a shady spot, about 10 days ago...using the correct mix of 4:1 water to sugar. I even tied red ribbon to it.
So far I've seen nothing but ants on the thing...and that wouldn't be so bad except that they don't hum!
Can anyone offer any suggestions?
Message edited by author 2006-07-11 15:55:32. |
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07/11/2006 04:20:49 PM · #2 |
It's the red that attracts them. Get the nectar mix from the store if you aren't using that. I wouldn't put it in a shady spot though. If you want to get them flying you want a high shutter speed and you won't get that in the shade.
I have one that suction cups to my back window. It took about 2 weeks for one to use it. They seem to come out mostly in the afternoon and they don't come to it every day. Mine is about 8 feet from me out my window. Right now I have my camera ready and am waiting for one to show lol so it was funny to see this thread. Every day around this time I wait for "one" to show up. Once he comes he only stays a few seconds and moves on. He may come back. Sometimes he comes later when its to dark to catch a picture of it. Luckily I get a shadow that is cast on me when he does show up so I know he is there but he is fast and so I have to be. At least that is me though. It's my first try at attracting hummers but I know they do like their own type of feeders and nectar. It takes time for them to be comfortable enough to eat from it. |
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07/11/2006 04:43:01 PM · #3 |
Back in May we had bunches of hummers coming to our feeders and I was able to get a few good shots, but lately they haven't been coming around as much. Maybe you just need to give them some more time. Patience and preparation definitely helps. :D
Here̢۪s a few of the shots I got back in May. Feel free to select them all as favorites. LOL!
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07/11/2006 04:43:12 PM · #4 |
Here is a link I just found that is very informative
HUMMINGBIRDS
Lots of pictures and a few quicktime movies to |
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07/11/2006 04:45:26 PM · #5 |
micknewton, I can't believe you got the flying shot with only a 1/125 shutter! WOW!
I added a couple to my favs! |
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07/11/2006 04:46:09 PM · #6 |
WOW! The colors and details on these are amazing! It's hard to believe you got that close with a 100mm (on a full frame camera). |
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07/11/2006 05:00:57 PM · #7 |
I was out there for hours trying to capture different types of shots. I think they just got used to me being there. The males were quicker to react to my movements than the female was. She seemed very laid back and calm about the whole thing. :D
For these shots, I had the camera setup on the tripod and pre-focused on a spot just in front of the feeder. Then I just stood there until they came in to eat.
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07/11/2006 05:06:27 PM · #8 |
Mick's shots are awesome! But what about the kind that shoot lasers from their beak?
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07/11/2006 05:08:29 PM · #9 |
Wow, thanks for the favs guys!
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07/11/2006 05:13:22 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Mick's shots are awesome! But what about the kind that shoot lasers from their beak?
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That's great Ken! You need a cool name for the hummer though. :D
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07/11/2006 05:16:41 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by micknewton:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Mick's shots are awesome! But what about the kind that shoot lasers from their beak?
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That's great Ken! You need a cool name for the hummer though. :D |
lol. I'm disappointed. He didn't use one of my shots in that representation! :( |
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07/11/2006 05:17:25 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by micknewton:
That's great Ken! You need a cool name for the hummer though. :D |
Hummorah? Hummothra? Hummidra? Hummoidrazillanthra? Laserbeak? |
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07/11/2006 05:17:38 PM · #13 |
It helps if you surround the feeder with flowers, especially red petunias, but any trumpet-shaped flower will do so long as there is at least some red to catch their attention.
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07/11/2006 05:18:12 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by maestro:
lol. I'm disappointed. He didn't use one of my shots in that representation! :( |
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07/11/2006 05:21:23 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by maestro:
lol. I'm disappointed. He didn't use one of my shots in that representation! :( |
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Ok, now do something with it for me art!!! :) |
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07/11/2006 05:22:29 PM · #16 |
I wouldn't buy the store-food. Water and sugar works just fine and is cheaper. My mother-in-law puts a few drops of red food coloring into the mix, too, but once the hummingbirds know your feeder you really don't need that.
In my old house, I had a feeder in one spot, they didn't come. Moved it, and they showed up. I really can't tell you why one was better than the other though. Most important thing seems to be to change the liquid at least once a week and to be patient. Once they've found you (and your feeder) hummingbirds are quite loyal.
My MiL has been feeding them for years, and now, if she doesn't put the feeder out early enough in spring, they literally dive-bomb her when she walks out on the deck when they first show up for the season!
Good luck!
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07/11/2006 05:26:57 PM · #17 |
| Once you attract a hummingbird to your feeder, you'll find that it will be there at about the same time every day. |
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07/11/2006 05:45:45 PM · #18 |
Don't add red dye. I've read that it's harmful to them. I'd just buy a red feeder and hanging flower planters. I also boil the water and sugar (4:1) for two minutes and then cool and store in the refrigertor. I have about 8 feeders and have to clean and refill them about every other day. Seems like they are always empty. I clean them using a bottle brush and hot water.
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07/11/2006 07:50:38 PM · #19 |
You do not neen red dye. All I do is add sugar into boiling water until
it is very thick (any more and it would not dissolve) Wait and see. I have not had many this summer, but in a few weeks I should have 7 to ten at a time fighting over the nectar. I find putting in sun works well. |
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07/11/2006 07:59:27 PM · #20 |
Gorgeous PhotoRyno!
My little one didn't come yet. He will probably show up when its to dark to get a photo. I am going to have to think of another game plan. I want to plant a little garden outside my door and under the front window. Probably a trumpet vine and then some lucious tubular things for them. I am then going to take my feeder off the window. I think that is not good. They may be to shy from the reflections. They do feed on it but only now and then and only one of them at a time but it may not be the season yet for a lot of them at once. I am going to buy a hanger pole and place it near but a bit away from the window and in the sun. This should do it! :) It will only get the morning sun though in that area but its the only area I have. lol.
There is a lady up the street who has a huge trumpet vine growing. I am always driving by and looking for the hummers and we talked one day. She said she hasn't had many lately come to feed so it may just be a bad time of year or something. This IS Florida though. I never thought there was a BAD time of year for hummers here. lol. |
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07/11/2006 08:12:35 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by maestro:
Gorgeous PhotoRyno!
My little one didn't come yet. He will probably show up when its to dark to get a photo. I am going to have to think of another game plan. I want to plant a little garden outside my door and under the front window. Probably a trumpet vine and then some lucious tubular things for them. I am then going to take my feeder off the window. I think that is not good. They may be to shy from the reflections. They do feed on it but only now and then and only one of them at a time but it may not be the season yet for a lot of them at once. I am going to buy a hanger pole and place it near but a bit away from the window and in the sun. This should do it! :) It will only get the morning sun though in that area but its the only area I have. lol.
There is a lady up the street who has a huge trumpet vine growing. I am always driving by and looking for the hummers and we talked one day. She said she hasn't had many lately come to feed so it may just be a bad time of year or something. This IS Florida though. I never thought there was a BAD time of year for hummers here. lol. |
If you're in Florida, try some red hot poker.
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07/11/2006 08:21:16 PM · #22 |
| Whats a red hot poker? lmao! |
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07/11/2006 08:47:20 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Fromac:
Hi all.
I'm really keen to get a good photo of a hummingbird at a feeder.
So, to that end...
Can anyone offer any help on enticing hummingbirds to come to a feeder
Can anyone offer any suggestions? |
The bug people just glue them in whatever pose you would like them to be it. - only kidding and poking fun at the dragon fly picts.
I think a couple people brought up some good suggestions. We have a ton where I live, but I always see them around our pine trees more often than other places. Maybe that helps? |
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07/11/2006 08:50:57 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by maestro:
Whats a red hot poker? lmao! |
look here
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07/11/2006 09:04:21 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by karmabreeze:
Originally posted by maestro:
Whats a red hot poker? lmao! |
look here |
OH what an AWESOME flower! Thank you so much. I will look for it! |
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