Did a "light" just go on or what? I've often noticed hummingbirds around the
feeders are particularily active when it's raining. The harder it rains, the
more active they are sometimes while other birds seem rather inactive. Then,
viola(!)... one of those long lost and obscure neurons in my simple little
mind flipped over as it occurred to me that this increased feeder activity
could likely be because many flowers that are otherwise visited by hummers
during the "dry" when the flowers are open and accessable are closed up in
the cool and rain. When it's dry, the hummingbirds are less dependant on the
feeders. When it's raining, the feeders are a dependable and too easy source
of "food" (as if sugar water qualifies as "food" ...like me and chocolate...
HA!) when the flowers are "asleep". So... did I just "wake up" and everyone
knows this already? Just curious and wondering if this rationale makes any
sense.

Also, THANKS EVERYONE for your feedback and comments regarding ant deterants.
I'm currently experimenting with the Vicks Vaporub suggestion. It seemed
like the least noxious for hanging feeders where a moat is not a reasonably
opton. So far, it seems to work, but it's been a short test so far since the
ants aren't active around it when it's rainy, or even cloudy and cool.

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue, WA