Yesterday I posted about putting up the new bird feeders. While we were doing that I had Aravis take down the hummingbird feeder and put in fresh sugar water and attach our new 'bug-out' so those big black ants wouldn't be able to get into the feeder anymore. Nifty little gadget but seriously we could have probably made one ourselves out of the bottom of a 1 liter coke bottle for half the cost....As many of you know hummingbirds can be very territorial, and this is usually towards other hummingbirds, but not our little 'Lady'. We have a female ruby throat that has taken ownership of our feeder and she has taken this territorialism to a whole new level. She really is something else, let me explain.
'Lady' got quite upset when Aravis took the feeder down and while we were getting it back up she literally sat on a branch less than 3-4 feet away chirping at us. Once we got it all set up she flew straight down and checked out every flower before taking a drink then she insisted on perching herself on a branch right above the feeder to keep watch.
If any of *us* would step near the porch railing (which is only a couple feet from the feeder) she would fly down and hover next to the feeder, chirping and warning us.... can you believe it? Cheeky little thing.
Here are some more pictures of our 'Lady' who takes her job a little too seriously. We are standing within 2-3 feet of the feeder.
Here are some more pictures of our 'Lady' who takes her job a little too seriously. We are standing within 2-3 feet of the feeder.
The next morning Aravis sat on the porch and watched as 'Lady' was challenged by another hummingbird and they were literally clawing each other. Obviously 'Lady' won her battle as you see her here taking a long drink after her tiring fight.
Nature study at one of its best...
