jkath
Hospitality Queen
Actually, that's a common thing in these parts - my folks have hummers year-round and usually anywhere between 15 and 40 are at the feeders, which hang 4' apart. They change the water every other day, and when Dad takes a feeder down, they buzz around him. I had much success at my last place (often counted 25+ at a time) but at this house, it's only a half dozen or so because there's a senior living park on the backside of our property and ALL the little old ladies have feeders up!
About 2 weeks ago, I was standing on a chair, putting up one of the feeders. It's one without little perches, and a hummer was buzzing around me, attempting to drink. So, I put my hand up to the feeder ports and he sat for a while on me, much happier to rest. I couldn't feel his weight, but his little toenails were scratchy!
Here's a quick recipe: on the stovetop, cook up 1 cup of drinking water & 2 cups of sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring now and then. Once boiled, stir till water's clear. Then add a cup of ice and stir till melted. It cools down your hummer food quickly, and the birdies really go for it. As for color, I put a couple of drops of food coloring in to first attract newbies, but it's not necessary after the first few find the feeder. It's also good to hang it next to a hanging "hummer-friendly" plant, like a fuschia.
I know I've posted this before, but I'm still proud of it (and it's even been ppublished in a magazine!)
This is a baby (notice his cottonball-bottom) that came to visit me:
