Yippeeeeee.....

Yesterday...I was in a red t-shirt (of course) outside on the patio (potting up plants) when I heard a buzzin' in my ear. I had a blue sage plant that those big fat fuzzy bumble bees were working, so I thought it was a bee up at my ear. I turned and looked and there was the tiny-est little hummingbird I ever did see (funny how you forget over the winter just how tiny they are!), he said "hello" and turned immediately and went to the feeder. I do think he's our little guy from the first year...

No pic from yesterday, but here he is at 7 am this morning.










Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

First sighting 2007 = April 22nd
first sighting 2008 = April 6th
this year = April 3rd !

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Oh Diana that is the best news! Congratulations! Beautiful pictures!

So happy for you!

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

Great News Diana!!!!

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Wow thats early Dianna. Congrats!

birdlegs
zone 5
S.E. Lower MI.

Diana congratulations to you girl. O Happy Day for sure.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Linda
ne AL
zone 7b

Yahoo!! I've got goosebumps for you Girlfriend!! And may I add a big BACK to your Returnee!! Ain't it great when they fly in to say hello before he gets a drink! What manners!

Now don't forget to tell him to send his buddies up my way, I'm wait'n!

Pam NJ 6B

I sure hope that you aren't hit with this cold weather Diane. Looks like most of Florida is going to have a big cool down also.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

How exciting Diana!! I'm envious--hope he sticks around for you.

It's supposed to be 72 degrees here today but 29 by Monday night. This is the strangest weather. My feeder is waiting though!

I love your pole system. Is it from WBU? I have one in my front yard with several different types of feeders on it that I've had for years. I just did another one in my back yard since I built my porch. It's set up like yours but has the large WBU hopper feeder (recycled) with the suet on each end. Then I have bird feeders on the different poles and also one of the "branches" like you have. Actually I set it up exactly the same way "The Ultimate Setup" is done in their brochure with the cardinal and bluebird finials. I used different feeders with mixed seed, sunflower, safflower, niger and suet. I'm going to try mealworms this year, too, have never used those. I just love sitting on the porch looking at the birds.

Carol R
Tennessee
USDA Hardiness Zone 7
Heat Zone 7

Diana--Congrats to you ,,hooray, hooray. Sounds like that guy is going to hang around. Im so very happy for you.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Hi all & thanks for the comments! I haven't been able to get back in here till now.

He's still here, so I guess to stay.
And as of yesterday a second male has joined him. It was extremely windy here today and it is suppose to get down to freezing tonight (Wedsneday), Penny. There go my Irises!

Yes, CarolR - my setup is a WBU system too. I just love it. I put a regular seed feeder on it only in winter. Once my hummers return, it's all theirs.

Here he was Sunday...






That last one's the blue sage plant I thought he wouldn't like, but he was using it, and the Navajo Bright Red Salvia.

and, these are bad pics cause it was almost dark, but here he is today (Monday) and he shares with his new friend...? Pam was right -- he has manners! Must be his new maturity.









Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Hello Diana,

Congrats!!!!
Awesome pics...lucky you!!! See my green with envy?

You have Irises?
I will be planting lots this year...I ordered over 40!!!

Aardvark Lark
Coffee Whispers
Westpointer
Golden Panther
Vienna Waltz
Candy Club
Hi There Gorgeous
American Classic
America's Cup
Canned Heat
Christmas Rubies
Forever Blowing Bubbles
Oriental Design
Parisian Dawn
Rose Princess
Sighs and Whispers
Wine and Lilac (albred)
Anaconda Love
Boudoir
Bronze Peacock
Elmer's Web
Gracious Curves
Intrepid
July Yellow
Kitty Kay
Nut and Honey
Pheasant Feathers
Social Graces
World Premier
Aplomb
In Reverse
Persian Berry
Earthborn
Color Me Blue
Orange Blossom Special
Mesmerizer
Cajun Rhythm
Whispering Spirits
Black Suited
Rain On Frost
Trillion
Decadence
Violet Turner
Candy Cane Cutie
Dusky Challenger



Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

OMG!!! Susan Louise! You are an "all the way girl", aren't you! LOL What a garden you are growing!!

Yes I do have a couple Irises. My g/f in NJ gave me one Iris when I started gardening, three or four years ago. I had it in a pot for a couple years and then planted it in the ground. It was blue in the pot, but it's purple in the ground (hard to tell from the pictures tho).

In the pot...






in the ground (on a windy day)...




I love them & I hope they are very rewarding for you!

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Susan, I forgot to say - this one's on my wish list...

http://www.eflowergarden.com/pdp/BI_Alizes.htm

Ain't it a beauty!

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Diana,

that is a beauty!!! I've seen it at many of the Iris nurseries I ordered from. I actually came close to ordering it a few times...
If there are any that you like that I'll be getting this year, LMK and I'll keep the list and give you the extra rhizones in August 2010...if you can wait that long

Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

Susan Louise - I can wait... I've already started looking up your list! The 'bubble' one is a gorgeous white one! I'm sure they are all beauties tho and I'm having fun looking them all up!

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Diana,

Have fun going through the whole list and write down all that you like...and list it in a post on this thread or send me an e-mail with them.
I will send the extra growth to you next summer...promise!!!

Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

Thank you Susan Louise! You're so kind!!

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Diana,
Have a lovely day! I'm going nighty night...

Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

Love love love your irises. I dont know if mine will bloom this year or not. My gradson mowed them down to early last year and they are just barely growing this year. I wanted to divid them but will wait till next year.