This hummingbird mating process has seemed to be a mystery to many of us who have just heard of it but never seen. Im leaving a link of an excellent article explaining the process very clearly so there is no doubt. Evidently the male had already done his dance and wooing of said female. According to the article I must be in the class of the lucky few who have actually witnessed this " I viewed the female land in a black and blue plant [ this in itself is a bit odd, but evidently on purpose] then as I watched the male come in rather slowly and land on top of her, could have been no more than a couple of seconds and she was gone". This article explains the process in detail. What I witnessed was from my pc chair window and the plant not more than 5ft from the window, so I was meant to see this, there was no chance for me to capture a once in lifetime sighting on film .



http://tinyurl.com/nuyorg




Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

You certainly are one of the chosen few! Did you notice that in that article you linked to--the part about being the "chosen few?" You are so lucky to have seen that! I've been seeing all sorts of activity around here, but haven't seen the actual mating. From the article you referenced, and also from other stuff I've read, it looks like there will be fledgling hummingbirds from that mating probably by the last week in August. Late, but totally in time for them to go through their adolescence and fatten up for migration.

They'd better get busy on second broods, as they're fast running out of time. Also, won't most of the males be leaving soon? It takes two to tango!

Well, that's a pretty fast Tango...at this time of year, you might also call it The Last Waltz (for those of you old enough to remember the song).

Tango, Waltz, Trip the Light Fantastic...whatever...it kinda sounds like one for the road.

"It's been nice knowin' ya, sweetheart"





Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Kristin--- Yes thats why I mentioned about one of the lucky few and should of said chosen few. There has been a lot courtship going on here lately but sure didnt expect to see that. Its a shot in the dark I even saw it, had I been typing at that particular 5 seconds or rubbed my eyes or any such thing would of missed it, as they say fate. There is a lot of good info at that site I havent read it all only the mating and the north and south migration. I think some of the adult males have already headed south. In the past week or so Ive been seeing a good bit of adult males on the feeders at evening time and with the recent cooldown some of those may have moved on.

Patrick-- Fast or not it appears the lady was ready and waiting as I saw it. That male did his last good deed before heading south, Im thinking all that created dividends for me in the next few weeks, Im hopeing.



Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35