Everyone Has A Favorite Flower

[MEGHAN]

This Girl Prefers Honeysuckle:





Half in and half out of the sunlight...I should have tried for a portrait shot, but I kind of like the look. She is telling me that she is allowing me to photograph her, but on her terms. She still runs the show, and she lets me know it everytime I bring my camera out.  :roll:

Meghan

[rcflier]

Very pretty Meghan.  What time day do these little beauties like to feed? Have you seen any at Rhododendron gardens?

[MEGHAN]

Very pretty Meghan. What time day do these little beauties like to feed? Have you seen any at Rhododendron gardens?

Thanks Bob...They are out all day, from about 6am or just after till very last light. Which is getting earlier and earlier every day. But I can still see them with the last bit of light at 9pm.  As for Rhododendron Gardens, it is just across the street from me and I haven't been there in ages. I do know you can find them at Rattray Marsh once the Jewelweed is out. I am not sure where you live but if you are down south here then hit the Marsh in a few weeks.
If you are really local to me then you can stop by and photograph mine. As long as you don't mind dogs you are welcome.

[rcflier]

Thanks for the tip about the Jewelweed at Rattray, I'm there every couple of weeks (overdue for another visit). I also read about the Jewelweed at Riverwood, so, I'm waiting for these to bloom. I live in the north west corner of Mississauga, about 10 minutes from Riverwood.

Thanks for the tips, take care.

[MEGHAN]

Ok Bob..let's make a deal..I'll keep you updated about the Jewelweed at Rattray and you do likewise about Riverwood. That way we double our chances of success.

Meghan

[Howieh]

Ok Bob..let's make a deal..I'll keep you updated about the Jewelweed at Rattray and you do likewise about Riverwood. That way we double our chances of success.

Meghan

and since I have nothing useful to add I'll just sit here quietly getting updates from both of you!

Nice shots Meghan, how close are you to the feeding bird?

[MEGHAN]

:roll:

and since I have nothing useful to add I'll just sit here quietly getting updates from both of you!
Nice shots Meghan, how close are you to the feeding bird?

Hey Howie.. :lol:  no problem. We should all get together and go find some "wild" Hummers. I will keep you updated on what I find.

As for how close...I would say about 6 feet. The male was on the Bee Balm at the same time, but right in the shadow so I chose to shoot the female instead because at least some of her was in the sun.
My male seems to be doing a 4:00pm feeding lately, but only on the days when I am not there  :roll:  When I sit out all day with my camera, he only shows up when it is almost dark.
I thought birding was supposed to be relaxing.  :?
My crazy bi**t has this weird new habit of eating out of the Oriole feeder. Now if it was nectar, I would understand. That's happened before....but she eats the grape jelly!!! It's bizare. I keep trying to get a photo of her doing it, but by the time I realize she is over there, it is too late.
Stay tuned for more craziness.

Meghan

[BoboBird]

Lovely lovely lovely.

Count me in for the updates/joint excursion whatever - I would really like to watch these guys and take a couple of pics if possible.

[Howieh]

Lovely lovely lovely.

Count me in for the updates/joint excursion whatever - I would really like to watch these guys and take a couple of pics if possible.

I'd certainly like to get out there if possible but it's quite a shlep(?) from my place and there's jewelweed in Edward Gardens (which is a ten minute drive for me and also satisfies my butterfly fetish!) so we'll play it by ear! I think my regular male is gone but I still have a couple of females (or young) making regular visits from early am until after sunset. I hope they stay around later than last year which 'ended' on Sept 6 even tho I left my feeder out until mid October. I'm curious Meghan, is your male still around and do your regulars hang around the yard most of the time because of the flowers? Btw, if you have a videocam or a P&S that takes video I'd love to see a video of the hummer at the oriole feeder!

[BoboBird]

I'd certainly like to get out there if possible but it's quite a shlep(?) from my place and there's jewelweed in Edward Gardens (which is a ten minute drive for me and also satisfies my butterfly fetish!) so we'll play it by ear! I think my regular male is gone but I still have a couple of females (or young) making regular visits from early am until after sunset. I hope they stay around later than last year which 'ended' on Sept 6 even tho I left my feeder out until mid October. I'm curious Meghan, is your male still around and do your regulars hang around the yard most of the time because of the flowers? Btw, if you have a videocam or a P&S that takes video I'd love to see a video of the hummer at the oriole feeder!

Edward Gardens is on my places to visit list for this week (either Monday afternoon or Wednesday morning or both ). Whereabouts in the gardens - it is a big place?

[Howieh]

Edward Gardens is on my places to visit list for this week (either Monday afternoon or Wednesday morning or both ). Whereabouts in the gardens - it is a big place?

It's at the southwest corner of Leslie and Lawrence. The main gardens are actually quite small in area and are conveniently located right next to the parking lot.

[BoboBird]

Thanks will drop in this afternoon and see what turns up.

[rcflier]

Riverwood has several patches of Jewelweed blossoming.  Some along the "lower" trail ( Culham ) and a very large area just south of Riverwood property on the Culham Trail near / under the Burhamthorpe bridge. I didn't see any hummers.

[Irene]

Beautiful shots Meghan as always, There were no humming birds at High Park either the other day, it seems where they used to have the beautiful flowers last year has been overgrown with other weedy type flowers and lilac trees.

As for the Arsenal Lands, the path on the west side of Marie Curtis Park, there is tons of jewel weed but no hummers thus far. I keep checking the area.

[MEGHAN]

Hey Folks,

Irene thanks for the Jewelweed update. I will have to take a walk over there one day next week.

Howie, I have 2 mature males and a new addition to the backyard the last week or so is an immature male, just a few bits of red staring to show on his gorget. So pretty. As for when they leave. Last year I had a female till mid-October. Males left towards the end(mid) September. I still haven't got a shot of her at the Oriole feeder, I am too busy staring and being perplexed to remember to pick up the camera.
Btw, I have no problem coming up your way one day, if I'll drive up there for the Herons, I'll make the drive for the Hummers.

Bob, I am excited to hear about Riverwood. I never made it to Rattray last week, my days off were a bit cloudy and rainy. But I did notice a bunch near the leash free area of Jack Darling. Gotta take the dogs there whatever the weather. But Tuesday morning I will be hitting the marsh and will let you know what is about.
I am off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week if anyone ever would like to get together.
Bobo..how was Edward Gardens?

I find now and through September to be the best time to photograph hummingbirds. Find some Jewelweed and wait. It may take a while but you will find them there and your patience will pay off. There are so many flowers on the Jewelweed plants that you are bound to get some great shots. But believe me you must be really patient. Take a book or something.   You don't need to keep watching the plants. Just listen. The Hummers will make themselves known. Just be ready when they do.

Meghan