Hey everybody, I was just out on the deck making my daily rounds, deadheading flowers, pulling up weeds, etc. (Our compost tumbler must not have gotten hot enough during the last batch to kill all the seeds because I've got tomato seedlings coming up everywhere now!)

Anyway, I was bending over my Mexican Sunflower in the corner of the deck when I heard an incredibly loud buzzing sound right next to my ear! I froze immediately and when I slowly turned my head, I found there was a male (rubythroat, the only kind we have here) sitting on the saucer feeder hanging right there on the corner of the deck!

He didn't seem nervous about me being there at all because he just went about eating like nothing out of the ordinary was going on. He was barely more than a foot away from my face so I could see every detail on every feather, his eyes, etc. Everything about him was simply perfect and he had one of the brightest red gorgets I've ever seen. He kept turning his head looking this way and that like they always do and whenever the gorget would flash right at me from so close, I'd nearly gasp out loud!

It only lasted for about 20 seconds or so, but I'd forgotten from last summer what a thrilling experience it is! Gosh, I'm going to have to start spending even more time out on the deck now!

Bill McClure
Zone 6A

Too cool. Thanks for taking us there with you!

Hi Bill, That's a thrill factor of 9.5. 10 being having one sit on your finger as pictured on you profile picture and the featured picture of the day....Great picture too...

Karen
Southern California

Bill--- Thanks for relating your experience of the hummer, when I have a similar situation it always is a rush and usually always happens when Im outside doing the same pulling weeds , watering , just being there. I too have been able to hold the very tiny feeders and have them eat from my hand so to speak during migration season when I usually have lots of hummers , havent tried that for a while though.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Bill
Those close encounters are ones to be relished for sure. I have had them in past years but not this year. Most people don't get it but it almost takes your breath away.

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