that's neat Tam, it's something you never forget, right! I held one in my hands onetime. It had got trapped in our solarium, we'd been out and had left our dogs out there, leaving the screen partly opened so they could get out. The hummer got in, and couldn't find its way out, due to thinking the glass roof was the way out, so it kept trying in vain to get out thru the glass roof.

Luckily we got home intime to save it, as it was getting fatigued, flying up and down to the glass roof. I grabbed it when it went down to the floor, and put my other hand over the top of it, and took it outside and released it. Can still recall how very warm it felt in my hands. I felt it was a privilege to be able to hold it like that and then release it.

thanks very much Larry, am glad the info is of use to you, and good luck in capturing some shots at your feeder. they are fascinating, I've been trying for years to get some good shots of them : ) Over the years have had them fly up and hover SO close to me, when I was near some flowers they like, but when I didn't have the camera in my hands. Infact, I've felt the "wind" from the wings on my hand, as one approached as I had my hand on the nectar feeder. Stood there as still as a statue, and it hovered right beside my hand. The burnished reddish/gold iridescent colour on it was unforgettable, absolutely gorgeous.

thanks Vicki and Janice. Yep, it keeps me busy, tending the feeders, as there's no preservatives in the home made nectar, so it does need changing often, esp in warmer weather as you said, Vicki. Once the weather gets hot, I usually make a greater quantity and store it in fridge in glass container. Another hint is never to use soap or harsh cleaners on the feeders, incase any residue is left on there, - these birds are soooo tiny that it would be easy to harm them. Just make sure you use hot water to clean them and that's fine.

Great shot, Alandra. And I'm soo glad to see you use sugar water and not prepared red-dye hummer nectar. Our favorite bird man recommended the 4 to one ratio many years ago - he also told us to change it every three days when cool and daily in warm weather as it spoils quickly, so thorough cleaning is mandatory each time it's refilled.

meant to add, incase anyone wonders, - make my own nectar for the hummers and I don't add red colouring, as it's harmful to their tiny organs. Just use water pre boiled in the kettle after it's sat there and cooled, add the sugar while the water's still warm, so it dissolves. Then clean and re-fill the feeders once the mixture is cold.

The ratio is one part sugar (regular granulated white sugar) to 4 parts water for normal summer weather, this ratio most closely resembles the flower nectar. In cooler weather, when the hummers first arrive back here, we use 3 parts water and one part sugar, gradually increasing the water as the weather warms, til it's 4 to 1.

Simply great. Colors are vivid and the hummingbird is completely still.