Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

I was not aware that hibiscus can be such an attractor of hummingbirds.  Within the last two weeks I have three different hummingbirds that are constantly competing/fighting over my front yard for the chance to feed on the blooms.

The three are easy to tell apart as one is black head green body, one is green head black body and the last is magenta head black body.  The black head seems to be the dominant one but the others are hilarious with their successful attempts at feeding while the black headed one watches from some near by liquid ambers.

Funny how they all feed underneath the blooms, much more efficient and easier for them than going into the center of the bloom.  As you can see they can then also land on leaves and somehow balance themselves for a quick rest while feeding.  Really fun to watch!!!

I'm sure I'll get some much better pics as time goes by...

All That Jazz on the radar
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02473.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02474.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02475.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02476.jpg)

Interesting technique = hitting different spots on the same underside of the bloom for additional nectar
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02477.jpg)

Now to the serious stuff - Vin Beaujolais (getting a sophisticated taste for nectar)
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02481.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02482.jpg)

Farmer D

Round 2 - again cool how they can actual land on the edges of the leaves.  They must weigh close to nothing for a hibiscus leaf to support them without giving.

Chariots of Fire - lots of blooms here!!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02458.jpg)

Check it out- no wings mom!!!  Actually standing inside the leaf.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02457.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02456.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02455.jpg)

more to come I'm sure....

Farmer D

Those are fantastic photos. I never noticed them standing on hibiscus leaves but you've got the evidence well documented! They love the hibiscus greenhouses, too, and will sometimes greet me by buzzing by my head at incredible speeds. None has miscalculated so far but I wouldn't want to get a direct hit even though they do seem to weigh mere ounces.

We rarely see the actual nectar of hibiscus but from time to time one will make so much that it leaks out when you handle the flower. It's sweet tasting clear fluid and is probably responsible for sticky leaves when no sap sucking insects are seen (which also drip sticky clear excretions onto leaves).

Thanks for showing these - they are amazing!

Charlie

Gosh, Darren, those pics just cry out to be painted! If I ever have time to do any oil painting again, do you mind if I paint them?  They are just too, too special!

What a wonderful idea!!!

By all means, that would be very special.  I'll be on the look out for some better shots to add to your inspiration.

Farmer D

I love seeing hummingbirds drink from my hibiscus! I have also noticed that don't go for the center, but the bottom edges. They seem to go to spent blooms too. If you ever google "plants that attract hummingbirds," you rarely see hibiscus listed, so it was a surprise to me when I started owning hibiscus and they attracted hummingbirds.

Nice pictures!! It's a challenge to capture hummingbirds on camera because they are so fast and skittish! Good job :)

We're going to do an article about nectar in one of the upcoming newsletters. It's an interesting topic and not much has been written about hibiscus and nectar. But, as anyone who has outdoor hibiscus knows, they are great attractors of hummingbirds.

Charlie

GOT ONE!!!  Hovering over Pinot Noir.  :)

Good job, Jordan! It's not easy to capture those little speed demons.

Charlie

Great job Jordan!  Funny they must have a taste for wine, mine kept hovering around the Vin Beaujolais for it's moment of glory!

Farmer D

Nice shot Darkhorse!

Haha, thanks!  Yeah, a good Pinot Noir should have its place in all of our lives...

Funny thing today, as usual there is a dominant hummingbird that watches over my hibiscus and chases off all other potential feeders.  While tending to the hibs another one was so desperate that it took the chance even with me there and started feeding just 5 or 6 feet away from me.  I just stood still and watched it get over half my blooms before alpha hbird picked up on this and chased it off.

Of course my camera was in the house at the time but now I'm going to have near my at all times and already on the high speed shutter mode.  This could lead to some new shots soon I hope.

Oh yeah, Chariots of Fire really seems to produce a lot of nectar for it's blooms so I tried some yesterday.  Pretty good actually, I wonder if I'll get chased off now by the alpha hummingbird too?

Farmer D

In the greenhouse, the hummingbirds can get pretty territorial. I've had them buzz close past my head at what seems like 100 miles per hour. But, it's all posturing and none has ever come really close to actually crashing into me. No doubt they know that they will not fare well in such an encounter. Still, I try not to move quickly when one is buzzing close by so as no mistakes are made regarding flight path!

Charlie

What super pics.  I am a hummingbird lover.  Still haven't ever seen one in my garden even after planing hundreds of dollars worth of "hummingbird attracting" plants....after 3 or 4 yrs i gave up. Who knows maybe one day i will see one at my hibiscus.

Guess who I finally caught in the act again?

I made the mistake of wearing a bright blue shirt so I had to be very covert just to get a shot.  Unfortunately it was late in the afternoon and I was shooting into the sun so the pics aren't too good.

Boy the second I moved a tiny bit from my hideout behind my gate the hummingbird was right back on the plumeria tree perch watching me like a hawk.

I guess camouflage shorts aren't enough....

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Nov%202011%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdCamouflage11-6.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Nov%202011%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdPlumeriaPerch11-62.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Nov%202011%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdPlumeriaPerch11-6.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Nov%202011%20Hibiscus/Hummingbird11-63.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Nov%202011%20Hibiscus/Hummingbird11-62.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Nov%202011%20Hibiscus/Hummingbird11-6.jpg)

Farmer D

Just browsing through the forum and came across this topic.  I thought I would add the few photo I caught one day of a humming bird at my hibiscus.

(they are really small files, I had to copy them from my facebook album... I couldn't find the original files, sorry.  Hope they are clear enough)

Kristen I'm so glad you posted those shots here.  Of all hummingbird/hibiscus shots yours are the best I've seen so far.  The clarity is amazing and you captured the true essence of a hummingbird at it's best.  Truly amazing!!!

Farmer D

Awe, thanks Darren.  I cant believe I cant find the original files!  So not like me!  Im sure they are somewhere.  These were super small files I took off of Facebook.  Thanks for the compliments.  Any hummingbird photo's are good photos.  They are quick!  And you never know when they are coming!

I agree with Farmer D - these are the best hummingbird with hibiscus photos I've seen. Really superb! Thanks for sharing them.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie. 

Wow, Kristen, these are GORGEOUS pics!  Several of you have posted beautiful hummingbird pics here on the forum. Would you mind if I use all your pics for an article for the newsletter this month?  I'll give photo credits! (Usually I just use first name for privacy purposes, but if you want me to use your full name, let me know that too.)

If I ever have time to paint again, I'm going to be asking you to let me use these pics for some paintings too!

Cindy, I would love it!  I usually put Emanuelson Photography as photo credit.  I would like to find the full size files, these are only like 46 mb as I just took them from my facebook page.  I can find them for you, I know I wouldn't have gotten rid of them. I will email them to you when I get my hands on them.

What a compliment!  Thanks!

Amazing what a difference having a nice camera and editing software can make!  All shots look so much better when you have a good camera, I dont think my point and shoot could take shots like this (only 7 mp).   I am looking at joining the DLSR club soon :)

Cindy, you should start painting again, Ive seen some of your work on the hiddenvalleynaturearts.com website, and they are really great!  I guess something you can do when time permits. :) 

After years of trying to take a picture of these guys I finally hit the sweet spot. I had the honor of seeing 2 sets of hatchlings :)

Look how cute this guy is !

(http://kerrysroxy.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v28/p987988372-4.jpg)

2 more I took this is at the Santa Barbara zoo

(http://kerrysroxy.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v34/p764641274-3.jpg)

(http://kerrysroxy.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v34/p661813290-3.jpg)

Wow, incredible photos everyone. The hummers are still active here in southeastern AZ, but I've  never had my camera when they're around. They are mostly feeding on salvia, pentas, and Baja fairy duster. All my hibs are in the house and greenhouse.


dave

Wow Kerry!!!!  Where did they nest?  I just can't get enough of these hummingbirds....

That is really special - I really hope to see more from you, Kristen and anyone else who can get these speedsters...

Farmer D

Wow Kerry! 

Those pics are awesome, I really like the composition of the two and the ginger flower, I see the rule of thirds at play there :)

I havent seen any humingbirds yet, but today we had one of the brightest rainbows ive ever seen, snapped a shot of it on my iphone :)

They made their nest in a palm tree. I forgot the species name but they are short and usually have 2-3 stocks coming out the base. They are very common in landscaping. There should be more hatchlings next year so I will try to get better shots.

I was forwarded this great link all about hummingbirds for anyone interested to learn more about them.

http://www.naturehaven.com/Hummingbird/hummingbird.html

This past two weeks my hummingbirds have done well to avoid having their pictures taken but I am determined to get more...

Farmer D

Nice website

Awww I really miss hummingbirds... I had one make a nest on a potted Chamaedorea palm on my porch when I lived in San Diego.  She made a big mess but it was totally worth it. Of course there aren't any on the Big Island. :'(
Beautiful photos BTW!

I found this fabulous video showing pollinators including hummingbirds.  Very well done with fantastic photography and the musical score is good too.

http://www.coolestone.com/media/2627/The-Beauty-Of-Pollination/ (http://www.coolestone.com/media/2627/The-Beauty-Of-Pollination/)

Farmer D

Darren, many thanks for sharing this link. What a joy to be able to watch a nature video like this. Seeing the bats feeding on the cactus flowers and fruit was unbelievable. And the music was a perfect complement to the outstanding photography.

Erny

Very nice, Darren! Thanks for posting.

Charlie

I had a hummer come inside my room to find my plants LOL

in your house??!! oMG!

This took standing still for over 45 minutes waiting for the hummingbird to get used to me so it is a work in progress.  Wish I had a SLR camera but my Sony Cybershot is pretty good for a pocket cultivar...the collection grows.

All That Jazz
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdAllThatJazz1-30.jpg)

Acapulco Gold
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdAcapulcoGold1-30.jpg)

Chariots of Fire - lots of blooms to keep him/her interested here
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-30.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-302.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-303.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-304.jpg)

Valentines Day
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdValentinesDay1-30.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdValentinesDay1-302.jpg)

Rainbow Sherbet
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdRainbowSherbet1-30.jpg)

Farmer D

OK - Day 2!  I am learning how to finesse my camera more so some closer shots.  Just got to see if shutter speed or intelligent mode offer the best close ups without blur.  Hopefully the pics will keep improving.  Also h-bird is very slowly getting more used to me there too.  Skittish to say the least.

In the beginning he/she just checks me out for long stretches...
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdWatchingMe1-31-1.jpg)

Pretty orange/pink throat and a chubster too - alpha hummingbird of the yard!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdWatchingMe1-312.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdinPlumeria1-31.jpg)

I think this was the second one in the pecking order - beautiful green body!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdinPlumeria1-312.jpg)

They even had the stare down before the chubster chased off the green one
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/Hummingbirdx21-31.jpg)

feeding on the neighbor's cactus flowers just behind the hibs - getting closer!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdCactusFlower1-31.jpg)

Finally to the good stuff...Vin Beaujolais closest to the plumeria roost
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdVinBeaujolais1-31.jpg)

Next down the line Valentines Day
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdValentinesDay1-31.jpg)

Next door is Hot Pepper...doing good here!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdHotPepper1-31.jpg)

Break time on Palm Springs
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdPalmSprings1-31.jpg)

Round 2 - Chariots of Fire
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-316.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-315.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-314.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-313.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-312.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdChariotsofFire1-31.jpg)

Round 3: Acapulco Gold
The neighbor's cat is worthless...
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdAcapulcoGold1-314.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdAcapulcoGold1-312.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Jan%202012%20Hibiscus/HummingbirdAcapulcoGold1-31.jpg)

With all the blooms comes the hummingbirds - I couldn't be happier!

Farmer D

Nice job, Darren! The ones in Acapulco Gold are my favorite.

Wow, Darren... These are some awesome photos! Great narration, too!

I really like the second photo, in the "Round 2 - Chariots of Fire" section: There's a huge wing-like shadow on the wall... It's as if the hummer was looking at it and thinking, "Wow! I'm SUPER Hummingbird!!!"

I bet the next time you see him/her, they'll be wearing designer "shades", have a manager and an agent... He/she already has their own personal paparazzo following them around! Hmmm… I can see it now: a "Hollywood Hummingbird" is born!   8)

Neighbor's cat = "photo bomber" (he/she wants to be “famous”, too)... LOL!   :P

After watering my old splash proof pocket camera I had to get another one and that has proven to provide a few benefits.  More megapixels so when I super zoom in and crop a photo it isn't total blur like before.

By the way I highly recommend using the burst mode if your camera has it for the hummingbird shots.  Works well to catch these speedsters in action..

These aren't the best but this one is fearless so I'm hoping for a close encounter soon...

Farmer D

Some more hummingbird photos from today this time going for Palm Springs.

Farmer D

Some more hummingbird shots from today on Sizzle.  I know there are no real good close ups but no zoom on my iPad.

Farmer D

Working on getting some close in shots of a couple of different hummingbirds that seem much less skittish than in the past.  This one is a super fat almost half red hbird.  Really quite a different looking one to what we normally have around here.  Wonder if it is pregnant?

King of Acapulco Gold - perfect watch out point on the highest tip of all my plants with the exception of Some Like It Hot.

Farmer D

Finally some good close up shots - too bad this one is not colorful but still such fun to watch!

Farmer D

Wow, I missed this whole thread! GREAT PICS, Darren!!!!!! I LOVE them! Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy

Apparently hibiscus are not just hummingbird attractors but hummingbird habitat...I discovered this today in my Valentine's Day plant. 

Romantic hummingbirds - I love them even more.  Remarkable!

I was able to sneak up on the hummingbird while it is sitting on the eggs...

Farmer D

Hummingbirds do everything fast - the eggs have already hatched!

Awesome!

Farmer D

Day 2 of the hibiscus hummingbird chicks - sleeping away!  From what I am learning this won't be for long as they get fed regurgitated insects and nectar every 20 minutes.

Farmer D

Well, blow me over with a feather! Amazing, Darren. I've seen hundreds of hummingbirds among our hibiscus over the years but never the chicks in their nest.

Charlie

Day 3 of the Hummingbird Hibiscus Chicks

Farmer D

Day 4 of the Hummingbird Chicks

Farmer D

Day 5 of the hibiscus humming bird chicks.

It is interesting how they move their waste out of the nest.  You can see it on the left side getting ready to fall over.

Farmer D

Day 6 for the hibiscus hummingbird chicks.  They are moving around more and looks like their eyes are close to opening.

Farmer D

Day 7 for them hibiscus hummingbird chicks.

Farmer D

It is getting more cozy in that nest.  Lots of lawn gnats now so momma can feed them tons of regurgitated insects and nectar.

Farmer D

Day 9 and they seemed to have grown quite a bit in one day

Farmer D

Day 10 and looking good

Farmer D

Looks like no more space left in the nest - the beak is always sticking up now

Farmer D

Day 12 and the nest is past maximum occupancy - pretty funny sight to see those two beaks sticking up from afar...

Farmer d

Day 13 - Eyes are opening and they are starting to look around just a bit

Farmer D

Day 14 - feathers starting to show and eyes are wide open for the first time

Farmer D

Day 15 - keep your fingers crossed for them as very heavy rain is forecasted the next 2 days

Farmer D

Day 16 & still dry even with some fierce weather the past 24 hours

Farmer D

Day 17 and surviving this crazy stormy weather.  You can now see the first shades of green on their baby feathers.  How neat!

Farmer D

Day 18 and Wow did they grow a lot in one night!

Farmer D

Day 19 - the are growing so much each day now!  They should start flying soon...

Farmer D

All right - almost starting the 3rd week now and they are growing exponentially!

Farmer D

It looks like they could fly away any day now....21st day

Farmer D

Farmer D

Today was the day!!!

After the third picture of them they both chirped and took off for their first maiden flights right in front of me.  A bit clumsy but they made it to different parts of the other side of the yard.

Farmer D

Here is where one landed on my porch after kind of crashing into the railing above...

Farmer D

A few minutes later now on my Scarlet Beauty.  We chilled there for some time enjoying the warm sun on a beautiful day.  A wonderful way to say good-bye or maybe it is a new hello!

Farmer D

It has been fun watching the whole process from egg to first flight. Keep us updated on their progress.

Thanks Erny! 

Great news - I was able to locate one of the hibiscus baby hummingbirds this afternoon.  It is now chirping so I could track it down. 

It was past sunset so the pics are dark, sorry about that.

Farmer D

Several better shots from this morning of this hibiscus hummingbird chick chirping away in my Babcock Peach Tree.  It sounds nothing like an adult hbird.  More like a regular baby bird with a really high pitched chirp.  So cute!

Farmer D

That is good news, Darren! If they stick around much longer you will have to name them...

Charlie