I do not have a clue Vic what ripped that little one open. Never seen that before. Lots of cats around and many lizards, just hard to tell. Snakes as well and Hawks.

There are a lot of crops grown in TN and KY and along the flight path of the hummers. We don't always get a lot of hummers anyway, but it just seems like this year there may be fewer. However, they always arrive late in the year. I am not feeding them right now for several reasons so I may not be seeing all of them.

We had two hummers in the spring. They actually used the feeders I put out. Believe it or not previously I had never had a hummer use one of my feeders. They only wanted my flowers. Unfortunately, I forgot about the feeders for a few days and they got moldy. I took them down and washed them. But the hummers never came back. And right now my yard is BURSTING with all kinds of flowers for them and they still have not been back. My neighbor has not seen them either. I'm pretty bummed. What I liked more than watching the hummers was my husband watching the hummers. So cute.

Saw my first hummer this afternoon. Got a pic too, but that's not saying much in this instance.

I see it. Congrats on the 1st hummer of the year for you J! Going after that beautiful lily -- that's the one you got in the raffle right? Boy, that thing is pretty!

I clean my feeders often with special feeder brushes and vinegar (sometimes detergent also, but I am careful to rinse thoroughly). In this heat, it doesn't take long for that gunk that forms to happen. Often, if a feeder goes bad one time, you'd need to put up another feeder because they won't trust that particular one anymore.

I rinse and refill mine every morning, sometimes washing with soapy water, Linda.

I use the dishwasher.. but alternate so the soap smell dissipates before using that one .. rotate 3 of them

I wash mine with hot soapy water scrubbing them with a toothbrush especially the holes & rinse, rinse, rinse & rinse again & then fill them back up & out they go. I haven't seen any hummies turning their noses up at them.

I use an old mascara brush to clean out the ports.

mcash70 said:I use an old mascara brush to clean out the ports.

Fabulous idea Margaret!!!! I found the pipe cleaners that came with the feeder just aren't strong enough, they get bent too easy. An old mascara brush sounds perfect. You should post that as a tip.

Some Hummingbird closeups

Really good shots, Dave...

Absolutely!

WOW!!!

@TennesseeDave, The bokeh, in your photos of the hummingbird by herself, really makes her stand out in the image more than the bright red of the feeder taking center stage. Nicely done. I especially like the two where she is cleaning herself.

I FINALLY saw a humming bird this morning! I was out watering our new sod when a male ruby throat came by to feed on some agastache. I feel very relieved that at least one is in the area.

Jennifer!!

Out watering again this morn and a female came to eat. She even floated over to say hello to me. Looked like she was even going to play in the water but changed her mind.

Sorry pics are not good. But best I could do with my phone at the distance.