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| grevillea | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 17 2014, 03:51 PM (85 Views) | |
| Dana | Apr 17 2014, 03:51 PM Post #1 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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I have two potted grevilleas that i bought in hopes of attracting hummingbirds. i had read that they survive to the south of me, in Seattle and risked keeping them in pots close to the house for shelter. they are native to Australia but survived in their pots here though temps fell to -5C for a spell twice last winter. The one below grew well but i have yet to see a hummingbird use it. Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image |
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| Dana | Apr 17 2014, 03:56 PM Post #2 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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this next one has a totally different leaf but very similar flower and is much loved by hummingbirds. it is only just starting to bloom now but will go on through July. Posted Image This, below, is the native plant that is in bloom everywhere now and draws hummingbirds who will sit and guard it to chase off any others that approach. Last time i went for a woods walk the male Rufous whistles were heard as they dove at intruders to protect 'their' plants. I have one in the back garden and another in a pot in front. The wild currant. Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image Edited by Dana, Apr 17 2014, 04:00 PM.
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| Darcie | Apr 17 2014, 11:37 PM Post #3 |
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Skeptic
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Thanks Dana, you give me hope that spring is coming. |
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| margaret | Apr 18 2014, 12:04 AM Post #4 |
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Red Star Member
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Same here Dana, when I look out my window it looks much like January out there. The snow has gone down but still lots to go. |
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| Dana | May 9 2014, 07:37 AM Post #5 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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I recall memories of wanting the snow to be gone when Easter arrived in Toronto. Dressed up in the Sunday best finery hats, gloves, white shoes and all, ready to go to church, toeing the snow remaining where it had been piled all winter long. Well I did notice this young male Anna's fledgling at the Grevillea through the window one day. He tasted it more than once but that is the only time I have seen it used, so far. Posted Image Here's a Rufous female sitting on a branch of a weedling sour cherry tree I am allowing to grow in the mixed hedge. The yellow Kerria Japonica is ignored but the pink Quince is adored by them. Posted Image Maybe this is her mate? Posted Image Someone informed me that the Hawthorn is an invasive species. OOPS!!! Someone had better tell that to the birds who love it for shelter and for the food it provides. As well as the Warblers combing through it for larvae, the hummingbird is searching through the foliage before the flowers bloom, for what? Aphids maybe. How awful it would be if I sprayed this tree because it harbours bugs! It feeds so many birds, now in Spring and also with its fruits later on. Haws, according to traditional Chinese medicine regulate the heart - whichever way it needs to go. 102 At any rate, there is only one in the garden, given to me by a friend who had bought it at a garage sale, in a styro coffee cup years ago, the tree then only 2 1/2 inches tall. I pruned it back this year as it was shading too much garden area reaching up over 15 ft now. Posted Image Next to the Hawthorn, this Lonicera. There is a hummingbird sitting there as well. It is easy to see how birds can find refuge in there at first sign of a hawk flying by. Posted Image Edited by Dana, May 9 2014, 07:46 AM.
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| Dana | May 9 2014, 07:44 AM Post #6 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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Here he is, the little male. I know he's a boy because I have heard him sing. Posted Image Here's a bit of the fountain on the left with lonicera, winter viburnum, Japanese maple and forsythia carrying on down the right side. Hard to see, hard to capture when one cannot get any distance away. Posted Image Coming in for a bath next to blooms of the wallflower. Posted Image Cool shady light in these images. Posted Image In the front yard the Winter Daphne is an attraction. Posted Image |
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| Dana | May 9 2014, 07:45 AM Post #7 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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I think these two are siblings. They are sitting on a pruned off apple tree branch that I have tied to the bay laurel to provide perches out in the open to make seeing these kids easier. Posted Image Edited by Dana, May 9 2014, 07:49 AM.
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| Dana | May 9 2014, 07:57 AM Post #8 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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And last but not least, some guano. Hummingbird, of course! I noticed it laying on some poly I had over a few plants. There are also a couple of fir tree needles to show the size. Not as large as the head of a sewing pin. Posted Image |
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