HeatherMiller

Hi Liz, There are only one kind of hummingbirds in my area. They like all the feeder's I've put out. The various kinds all have various plastic or metal flowers that are red with yellow or yellow with red. When I spot one hummingbird, I start putting out half full container of the nectar that comes in concentrate at the store. Then I watch. I'll add up to four, because that's how many hooks I have. I also have hummingbird friendly plants that they like. After I get some hummingbirds, I switch to the non-colored "nectar" which is basically sugar and water. I read someplace that the red food coloring is not necessary and might be detrimental. I'm not sure one way or the other, but just in case I go ahead and switch to the non-colored mix.

So that leads to what feeder I prefer, since the birds seem to not care one way or the other. I prefer the glass bottled ones, red coating, red glass, or clear, or any color really. I have one that is blue and green. The stopper is a black rubber stopper with a clear tube and a red tip. I like the glass one over the plastic ones because they can go into the dishwasher on "sanitize" every couple of weeks or so. The plastic ones just melt, and are harder to really get clean. But - a baby bottle brush, some hand-hot water, and soap will get the sticky gone. Then I put a cap full of bleach into a bucket, and add a gallon of water. I'll hand dip the plastic ones for about a minute and let them drip dry. Then I rinse with water just prior to filling. I also read that hummingbirds are very susceptible to diseases, so I don't want to help that process out. Yellow Jackets will enjoy the feeders too, but then the hummingbirds won't visit. So I empty and clean if I see the bees hanging out. Good Luck!!!

That is funny. I have been looking all week and finally found two teeny tiny ones who would cooperate for their photoshoot. I'm off to look for more.

Wow. Neat spotting. I wish I could help with the ID. How big is it?

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect... I know very little about this species, but this site indicates there is a tobacco and a tomato hornworm. SInce these are on tomatoes, perhaps it is a tomato hornworm?

Yes, in the perennial garden beds, with good drainage. They are drought tolerant once established.

There are many varieties. I have an orange one and a red one too.

Good article...so that's an ear. Interesting.

Thanks Chester...we'll got with that ID. It looks close enough to me.

Andrew - your collection is fabulous! You have a great eye and I love looking at your photos - all of them so far. I do hope you create a mission as Karen suggests. I want to see more of your fabulous photos. You can include sounds as well if you put them on Youtube or some other place, and link to them.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2009/0...

Individual crows can pick out individual humans, but not vice versa. Interesting story on NPR from a Cornell Ornithology lab scientist.