What a sweet and pretty sight--the hungry little hummingbird and the healthy honeysuckle. My Alabama Crimson was in sorry shape, too, this spring. There was not a single normal blossom on it thanks to those darn aphids, but now it really looks great, just like yours, but maybe a few days behind yours in its blooming.
I haven't seen any hummers on the Coral Honeysuckle this year, but I did see a bird working over my Jacob Kline Monardas today. I was taking pictures of birds at my feeders, but swiveled the camera to snap some shots on the Monarda. Since it's film, I'll have to wait until the roll is finished and developed. The bird was not much more than a speck across the yard, but at least I got some photos. I've had trouble in the past with Monardas, but they are really looking good this year. I may have finally found the right spot for them.
Seeing that little hummingbird on my Jacob Kline today, I think I'm sharing the same feeling as you with your Coral Honeysuckles. Now all I need is some video to share!
Each day it seems I catch hummers on a flower that I hadnt seen them on before. Two days ago I caught them on my Agastache orange flare. Today I saw one on my red false vervain, but the vervain just doesnt have many flowers and they are small but very red. Have not seen them on my monarda grand marshall as of yet, but how could they resist it plus the insects they could get from around it.
Also on the back side of my house besides feeders and flowers I have a few tomato plants with cages around them and the hummers like to sit and rest and/or guard on those cages, plus I have some of the wally world feeders hanging on those cages. The hummers seem to enjoy that atmosphere. But there will be point where the plants will be so big that they will have to perch on the plants instead.
Kristin--- Now back to the C.H. it just seemed to me that this particular hummer fell in love with the honeysuckle plant and after feeding landing on the branch as if in protection of it. There are still many blooms on this plant that are not open yet , when they are I wouldnt be surprised to see a couple of hummers on it at the same time or at least fighting over it.
Can't wait to see your video!!
Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35
This message has been edited by Stevenindy on Jul 1, 2008 1:04 PM This message has been edited by Stevenindy on Jul 1, 2008 1:03 PM This message has been edited by Stevenindy on Jul 1, 2008 12:13 PM
Fabulous video. Diane, so this is a good plant for our area? Does it act more like a bush or a vine. How do you think it would do to try to train to climb my ladder?
