Subject: [Tweeters] I'm so smitten with this little bird
Date: Feb 23 18:05:10 2011
From: Christy RJ - christyrj at hotmail.com



Can I just say how very much in love I am with "my" little male Anna's Hummingbird?
I don't know for *sure* that it's been the same one living off my feeder for over half a year now, nor for *sure* that it's the same one I photographed when we had the snowfall the week of Thanksgiving. But he's been such a consistent "resident" that it very likely is the same guy. And I seriously adore him!
After struggling to keep my glass feeder available and unfrozen during periodic cold snaps, I bought a second smaller plastic feeder to keep up as a backup. I hung that feeder from the wood of the grapevines that go across my entryway, so it's a little protected from the elements by virtue of the covering of the grapevines. The entryway itself is underneath a stairwell, so to get to my front door I pass under the stairwell and under the grapevines and past the feeder. Several times since hanging that feeder, I've approached my entryway only to have Mr. Hummer go buzzing away, chastising me for interrupting his meal.
Well, now that it's snowing again (and it was hailing a little while ago), he's hanging out under the stairwell. I peek out my front door at him every once in a while, to find him flying around and resting in various places - like on a small cable box on the side of the house, on some open x-weave side paneling on the stairs, and in various spots in the grapevine. He can totally get out of the entryway through various acrobatic methods that I often see him use, like flying between the stairs. But he's choosing to shelter there now because it's close to his food source and he can stay dry (and not have hail pinging his little birdy head!). I swear that if I opened my front door enough, he might just fly in to my warm little home to hang out with me! (I'd never do that, of course.)
I'm just loving being able to peek out the door and see him there. :) I can't tell you how much happiness it brings me, having him around all the time. I am seriously smitten with that little bird!
I shared this before, I think, but here's the link to pictures I took of him in November. http://www.flickr.com/photos/18600129 at N05/sets/72157625469795303/
Just had to share my bird-nerdy joy with someone who would understand. :] Stay warm and safe in the snow, everyone!
Christy Jobein Kenmorechristyrj at hotmail