Dianne, I see where you are heading to Orange Beach tomorrow. Did you know the Hummer/Bird Study Group will be banding hummers and other neo-tropicals starting Saturday at Ft. Morgan? If you haven't ever been it's a wonderful experience. I'll be heading that way several times in the next couple of weeks. Here's the link to their website:
Thank you for the information. I sure wish I could attend. It is going to be a fast trip going this morning and coming back tomorrow. I was supposed to have gone yesterday which would have given me more times but just could not get off. I just might try to get over to Ft. Morgan this afternoon.
Noticed there was an event in Fairhope Oct 23-24. Could be a possibiliby I could make that one. I have a good friend whose daughter lives in Orange Beach and we are always welcome to go down and stay a few nights. We just might work out a vist for those dates.
This is one of my most favorite areas to vist.. My sister lived down there for years. Have you ever been to a "jublee" at Fairhope? I read in the Baldwin County paper earlier that there were two this summer.
For those not knowing what "jubilee" is check out this site. If I remember correctly there are only two places in the world where the event happens.
Patti went back and checked dates and found that the banding would be going on today. I would love to try to make it to Ft Morgan this afternoon. If I can't make it today I just might check it out before I leave tomorrow since I don't have to be in a hurry coming home.
Stan, Bob and Martha are always at the fort during banding. As many times as I have been they are always there and so informational. I just love the way Bob always takes each bird and holds it up and tells about it and it's migration pattern. He describes the individual characteristics of each bird. Then the bonus-someone gets to release it!! However, as many times as I have been (and it is several times each session) I have never seen them catch or band a hummingbird! My children have gone for years. My 10 year old DD and 15 year old DS eagerly ask each year when it is scheduled for. Here are a few pictures from the spring banding:
Painted Bunting
Summer Tanager
Blue Gray Knatcatcher
Patti--Zone 8
Mobile, AL
sarah (Select Login sarahbn) Feathered Friends Moderator
Patti I never got to Ft. Morgan. Started out there Friday morning but with others with me I got out voted about where we were going.
Did get to a small herb shop in near Robertsdale. They had so many plants loved by hurmers just growing wild. In fact the owner said they left them that way just for the hummingbirds. The little place is up for sale. Sure hope someone buys it and keeps all the wonderful plants around. Nothing comercial is use on the plants only organic stuff.
There was a purple hyacinth bean plant to kill for. I have never seen one so big. At the base I could not reach around it with my thumb and finger. The color was fantastic.
Maybe I can make the banding next spring. My friend had not seen any hummers around her flowers or feeders all week.
Dianne, I'm sorry you missed the banding. It's an awesome experience! I know about that little herb shop and have stopped in their on occasion. I will have to visit it next week when I head down to the banding and see about purchasing me some more plants for my new hummer garden. I saw 2 hummingbirds today in my yard. That's an increase of one since yesterday. Hope it stays and feeds for a few days.
