Was sitting outside this evening, and very much enjoying all the shenanigans going on. The slender one keeps trying to slip in, and the chubby one has decided she owns every perch and nectar source, chasing the slender one away at every opportunity. After being chased repeatedly from the feeders, I was pleased to see the slender one come down and sample the Bleeding Hearts, but then she got chased away from those, too! That chubby female is guarding everything.

As I sat on the driveway, transplanting seedlings, the male appeared and went straight to my yellow morning glory feeder. I hadn't seen him in a few days, so was very pleased to see him still around. The females are tending towards the red cardinal climber feeder, but the male prefers the yellow one. He came back a few times, always to the yellow feeder, while the chubby female was sitting in the trumpet vine surveying her royal domain.

Then I heard that unmistakeable sound--the twittering of a male doing the U display. I looked up and watched him and thought to myself--already?! Wow! The chubby female was sitting in the trumpet vine, watching, and he must have done at least a dozen dipsy doos, (is that the technical, ornithological term for it? ) all of it right in front of her. Darn it, why didn't I take my video camera outside?! Of course, if I did, I'd never get a thing done.

kristin-- Its not too early since you have some residents that have claimed your yard, Im sure you will see more of it since a male will try to entice as many females as he can. There is nothing going on here no males , If I happen to see one female a day or every other day then Im lucky.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Kristen,

I saw the "U"dance the first day I saw my pair. Haven't seen the female since, but I'm sure she's around. I see the male all the time!

Pam NJ 6B

That's great that you saw it so early in the year. This is the first time I saw it this soon after their return.

It's also the first time I saw the male with the females, and boy, he didn't waste any time! "Love" is in the air...