Close Encounters: "Hummer Magic"

Yesterday, long-time Oregon birder and bird-bander Mike Patterson posted a note to our statewide listserv Oregon Birders On Line (OBOL). In the subject line, it read “Hummer Magic.” Mike shared the following hummingbird encounter:

“I've been handling hummingbirds for 25 years now, so you'd

think I'd be jaded....

While re-filling the feeder this morning, a female RUFOUS

came up and started probing the feeder spouts while I was still

pouring sugar-water.  Completely, unconcerned about my presence.”

I posted a short response, suggesting that “hummingbird” and “jaded” are mutually exclusive concepts.  I can't  imagine that a day might come when I no longer marvel at hummingbirds. They make birdwatchers of us all.

Today, several other OBOL posters shared similar sentiments and more stories about hummingbirds perching on their fingers or coming to feeders while they were still holding them after a re-filling. The best, however, was saved for last. Late today U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Roy Lowe shared the link to an amazing video that captures a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (in Kentucky) feeding from several hand-held flowers and feeders, and then ultimately sipping sugar water right from the palm of the camera person’s hand (see link below).

http://lincsicsan.blogspot.com/2009/03/video-close-up-of-ruby-throated.html