There has been a little hummingbird hanging around my garden the past few weeks. Yes, I see him visiting the standard hummingbird fare, such as the stand of Cardinal flowers in my yard...
...however, I usually spot him in a more unlikely place:
in the vegetable garden.
Almost every day I see him among the tomatillo plants, drinking nectar from their little yellow blooms.
He often perches on the sides of the veggie garden as well.
In fact, this little hummer apparently likes vegetables so much that one day I found him in the greenhouse. I can only suppose he was checking out the tomato and pepper plants I keep in there.
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| hummingbird perched on a tomato stake |
He seemed stuck in the greenhouse, flying back and forth along the top of the roof. I usually keep the roof cracked open, but had closed it that day due to the chance of rain.
(For the record, hummingbirds are amazingly loud when they fly.
Especially when the sound is amplified in a little greenhouse.)
The poor little hummer couldn't figure out that he needed to go out the open door, even though I'm assuming that's how he got in. I had to go and open the roof back up for him.
I do wonder if he regularly visits the greenhouse, as hummingbirds are creatures of habit.
He also likes herbs.
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| hummingbird drinking basil |
I never knew hummingbirds liked such things, did you?
By the way, I'm not quite sure if this little hummingbird is a he or a she. In one photo I thought I spotted a red dot on his throat, indicating this might be an immature male.
Oh what fabulous photos! I love the last one of the hummingbird and the basil! A robin would hop into our greenhouse at our old house - he was a regular visitor and I had to make sure I didn't close him in. I hope the hummingbird wasn't too traumatised by being trapped in the greenhouse. I would love to have heard the noise of the wings amplified.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny that the robin liked your greenhouse so much! I felt bad for the hummingbird. He kept flying back and forth along the roof line, stopping to rest on my tomato stakes. I've spotted him a couple more times afterwards, so I'm sure he's fine, but I do wonder if he'll ever go in the greenhouse again!
DeleteI think they are quite clever little birds. We have sunbirds dipping in and out of our patio, which is enclosed on 3 sides.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll bet that would be quite a pretty sight! It's so great when a garden brings in the wildlife. I think it's half the fun of having a garden.
DeleteGreat shots, and I'm glad there was a happy ending and escape!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm not sure why the hummingbird couldn't figure out how to get back out the door, which makes me suspect he visits occasionally when I have the roof cracked open. Poor little thing!
DeleteOh, such a sweet friend to have hanging around! And your photos are amazing. It's interesting that he was going for the veggie flowers. I'm noticing more immature hummers now, too. We still have a few adult males, but they might be migrating through at this point. They're so fun to watch. I'm glad you discovered your little friend and he was able to find his way out of the greenhouse. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's fun keeping an eye out for him, as I see him almost every day in the garden. I know hummingbirds are likely to visit the same gardens again, so it would be great if he shows up again next year as an adult!
DeleteYour little visitor is very sweet! Who knew that hummingbirds liked veggies too? Glad he made it out of the greenhouse!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they drank from veggie plants before this. It's funny, he has a routine - he usually visits the veggie garden right before noon. Later in the afternoon he hits up the cosmos in the front yard. I never knew that hummingbirds were so habitual before either.
DeleteA real cutie...mine have been at the tomato and pole bean flowers...and yes they like herbs in my garden too!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I wonder if they manage to pollinate things, too.
DeleteAwwwww... Cute photos.... Glad he or she was able to get out
ReplyDeleteI've seen him (or her) around several times after getting stuck in the greenhouse, so the hummingbird seems to be fine. I was impressed with how loud it was in there with him flying around!
DeleteWhat amazing photos, Indie! Hummingbirds are usually so fast and dart about so much that it's hard to get a picture that's in focus. You had to be very patient to get all these. I didn't know hummers liked vegetables, either--perhaps you just have one who likes to eat healthy:) Glad he made it out of the greenhouse!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It helps that the hummingbird is usually out around the same time every day - I just look out the window for him!
DeleteI love the photo of the hummer at the basil. Hummers in my garden are now after the trumpet vine. I am just too "lazy" to go out and photograph them. When I grew veggies I remember them feeding on the small blooms. This time of year they need all the nourishment they can get since for us, it has been so dry.
ReplyDeleteIt has been really dry. I've been watering the stand of cardinal flowers for the hummingbird, and my veggie garden gets watered regularly (which might be why he always visits it.)
DeleteWhat great photos! I suspect your veggie-loving hummer was first attracted to the bright red accents in your garden, then fortuitously discovered the vegetable and herb blooms. Good for him!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder if all that red is what attracted him to the garden! :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful little bird. All alone? Doesn't he or she have a family?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, I've only seen the one bird hanging around the garden. He must have left the nest and is now putting on weight before migrating south for the winter.
DeleteI have never been able to catch a photo of a hummer!! I grow agastache for them and they love it. Whenever I clean and refill the feeder, they fly right down. I wonder if they're spying on me. ;o)
ReplyDeleteI usually have to take pictures of hummingbirds through a window or from around a corner or something. As soon as it notices me, it zooms right off. Definitely one of the harder ones to photograph!
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