This morning was a first at one of our hummingbird feeders. We had brought
them in last night so the hummers would have sugar water rather than sugar
ice this morning. We put them out around 7, when it was still quite dark.
We kept an eye on the one in the backyard as it grew lighter. By 7:20, four
hummers were at the feeder, simultaneously. Not only that, but instead of
the usual "sip and run," they stayed there, feeding quietly for several
minutes. None of the typical attacks. We speculated it was their first meal
of the day and getting nourishment was a higher priority than having the
feeder to themselves.

While those four were at the backyard feeder, a male was at the one in the
front yard -- making five at once. The male seems to have the exclusive use
of the front yard feeder (which is not visible from the backyard) although
he and/or other males also use the backyard feeder.

It's a luxury to watch these avian dynamics from our warm house.

Vicki King, Seattle