I bought a cheap humming bird feeder from Wal-Mart and waited for the hummingbirds to come by the hundreds. Only one came, and I didn't have time to adjust my camera for a good shot.
Next came the neighborhood woodpecker! He sucked the nectar dry in just a few seconds!
Then a swarm of bees showed up, and they wouldn't leave even after a I hosed them down. The feeder was emptied by the woodpecker, so I don't know what they were doing--maybe sucking up fumes! In fact, they are still out there! My friend told me that I shouldn't use plastic feeders because of a fungus that builds up inside. She said to use glass only and clean it once a week. She also said to not use the packaged food as it contains red dye and that it could harm the birds. I think I will just take it down and forget the whole thing! Too complicated for me.
These are the kind of insects I like! Easy care, never demanding, don't sting or bite, just stay in the same place until I move them.
10 comments:
I've never seen a sap-sucker attack a hummingbird feeder before. But between him and the bees, I'm afraid I'd let the idea of feeding hummingbirds go... or I'd plant petunias or something for them...
OMG! Isn't that just rediculous what happened with the humminbird feeder? LOL. I loved your photographs and how you told what happened! I had a good laugh for sure...I hope you are laughing too. At least you didn't pay too much for your plastic Walmart version! It was a fun experiment...that is what I call all my crazy attempts at things! Like my orange chairs! LOL.
I bet that woodpecker is still flying from a sugar high! I had no idea a woodpecker would go for the sugar water. Bees--I'm not surprised. I've seen a couple of hummingbirds lately, after a year-long absence. I don't know what happened to make them disappear. Perhaps it's my spouse's propensity to have the exterminators over here once a month!
Aiyana
Claude- Julie- I still want a humming bird feeder! I think I will try one more!
Aiyana- That wood pecker came back this AM - not a thing left and he is still trying- I think I will leave it up and get some great photos!!!
This post is hilarious! I can understand the thoughts of that woodpecker. I've been known to partake of a little too much sugar at one time too... I've bought feeders just like that one and had no luck at all with them. I'm with you -- I like those stationary, no-fuss bugs in the last two photos too!
Thanks for leading me to your blog. Very funny post. Do your hummers stay all winter or do they follow the others to Mexico and South America? If so then maybe the scavengers come around after they have left. We saw hummers in the summer, in NM, around a homemade feeder. It was made from a soda bottle and had red tape around it. Not a pretty sight but the rufous hummingbirds were there in masses. I love all your critters and particularly the ant I'd much rather have that than the wretched fire ants we have in Texas.
I had the same trouble with the one outside my office window at work- minus the woodpecker part! The bees and wasps though were there much oftener than the occassional hummingbird. I read that you put a little bit of oil on the openings, and it keeps the bees away. I tried that and no more bees!
Lancashire Rose---- The hummers stay all year here. My friend made a stained glass container that holds a beer bottle-- I'll put that up and let you know how it works!
Dee- I will try the oil trick!!Sounds like it might work on my new feeder! Thanks!!
I've read and was told at a bird store that bees are attracted to yellow - so if you try again look for an all-red feeder.
We have an all-red saucer-shaped feeder out all year just south of Phoenix, and have constant hummingbird visitors all year. Most are Anna's Hummingbirds, but we do get an occasional Black-Headed and Rufous. And after 2 years at our house no bee problem on the feeder (though we did have a swarm in our mesquite for a few days).
For what it's worth given the temperature around here, you might get away with a smaller feeder, too (i.e. easier maintenance). If it sits out more than a few days in the summer the sugar water will get mold in it. We have to change the feeder every 2-3 days in the summer and give it a thorough cleaning once a week.
Mike- thank for the info. I have a red feeder thaat I will put up. I guess I will need to find out the names of the birds- never knew any names. Thanks!
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