Our First Hummingbird In 2022...

Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird - Image Courtesy of Birds and Blooms Magazine

We spent most of the day outdoors on Tuesday. It's been a crazy spring, and yesterday was no exception. The blustery wind was replaced with a gentle breeze, so Handsome and I tackled outdoor tasks.

Handsome started on one of the downed trees that rests on the land we currently rent out to our neighbor. He farms it every year, and that tree needs to go before it's time for him to plow the land.

I wanted to put our outside furniture on the porch, but had to clean all of it first. Little kitty footprints, and more of Leo's winter pastime. Ugh. Glad it wasn't too bad, but now everything is disinfected, scrubbed, dry and on the porch. In fact, at bedtime, Claudette and Crystal were comfortably situated on the cushioned chairs for a sleepover.

When we took our afternoon break, we were surprised to hear a saw running. Handsome went outside to find Andy cutting those big willow branches off the main tree to make the rest of the task easier for us. Now all my husband has to do is cut up all the branches and we'll load them up for the burn pile behind Andy and Shelly's.

Speaking of which...our dear neighbor, Shelly is finally back home. She went to the hospital on March 3rd, and has been either in the hospital or the rehabilitation facility adjacent to the hospital since. She's made enough progress that she could now come home to continue her recuperation. We got to see her yesterday, and I almost wanted to jump into their vehicle when they pulled in to say "hi".

Needless to say, all that work and excitement wore us two seniors out. We ate dinner, took Tylenol and tucked in happy with our efforts.

If we hadn't been outside, we would have missed our first hummingbird visiting the feeders I put out three days ago. He'll spread the word, and soon we'll have a little flock visiting every day. Winter is finally, blissfully gone.

We'll take it a little easier today. We have haircuts and a little grocery shopping to do, and then we'll be back at the farmhouse for the rest of the day. I think I'll bake cookies when we get home and take a fair amount up the hill to celebrate Shelly's return. We think it's a quiet, appropriate way to welcome her back.

A Productive Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Dog-Themed Custom Mask Order

 

It's amazing how much I can accomplish when I'm feeling good. This weekend, I completed a custom mask order for a friend. She ordered all these fabrics from Spoonflower, sent them to me - along with a mask that fits all her family members as a pattern - and asked me to make a batch for her and her kidlets, who all participate in showing dogs.

The mask she sent was made from a knit fabric, so I made my own template to mimic the style and size of her, and made a protoype for size. I tried on her mask, and then tried on the one I'd made. I changed my pattern slightly, added side tucks to each one, and voila! They were a perfect fit. 

I'll be mailing them to my friend, and she, her son and two daughters will all be able to safely attend dog shows. I hope she loves them!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Autumn Table Mat

This was something I brought to Wisconsin from my Florida Saturday morning coffee club at Sandy's Quilt Shop. It was packed safely away with other projects I needed to finish. I chose a pretty, coordinating floral fabric for the backing, and then added a light print fabric for the binding.

I sandwiched the fabrics with a central batting, and then machine quilted the layers together. Once that was done, I attached a binding and sat down with a hot cup of tea to finish the hand sewing the binding. I'm glad to add another completed project to my list for 2020. 

Now, the table topper sits on our kitchen table, along with my small acorn cookie jar (filled with candy corn and candy pumpkins. High sugar, I know, but they been a perennial favorite for both Handsome and me, and we don't over do it.)

It's beginning to look a lot like Autumn outside. The leaves are turning color, and most of the birds are on their way South. I saw a flock of bluebirds in our apple tree yesterday. Such a beautiful sight! I was happy and sad at the same time, because they're so beautiful, but I know they're getting ready to leave. 

 

Most of our hummingbirds are gone, too, but a pretty, green female is still coming to the feeder. Handsome can see that I'm already contemplating knitting a little sweater for her (or even making a home for her inside if she doesn't leave in time)! kidding. not kidding. I'm sure she'll leave soon, but the feeders will stay out until I'm sure she's on her way to warmer climes, too. I'm going to miss those little hummers, and will look forward to them returning next Spring.

 

Strawberry Jam...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Kitchen Window View

Every morning brings another beautiful view from our farmhouse. The hollyhocks continue to open, now sporting five different colors. Where I thought there were only a buttery yellow, there is also a very pale peach, and then these beauties. Don't they make you smile? I can't look at them without feeling happy.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Jam

The temps got into the high 80s again, so I got creative for our canning process. I have that lovely, big, electric Ball™ Water Bath Canner, so I took it out onto the porch and plugged it in for the final step in making the strawberry jam. All the water bath steam stayed outdoors. Everything else was done in the house.

When all was said and done, there were nine half pint jars and six pint jars of strawberry goodness. We'll certainly have jam until this time next year. I'm only planning to make raspberry jam yet this summer, as we have plenty of leftover grape, strawberry/rhubarb, lemon balm, and crabapple jelly to last a while. I didn't make the Cowboy Candy yesterday, so I'll probably do that over the weekend. When I've made that, I'll share my recipe with you, in case you'd like to make your own.

Brynwood Needleworks - Busy Little Hummingbirds

 

While I stood stirring the jam in the pot, I watched the industrious, little hummingbirds returning to the feeders. From the looks of this feeder, it's their favorite. I'm going to have to refill it today. 

I'll be weeding in the garden first thing today, and then Handsome and I will tackle the grass again. Man, it grows quickly when it's hot and sunny. If we don't mow today, we may need to bale it!

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday weekend. We'll be staying close to home. It's where we love to be.

 

Hummingbird Haven...

Brynwood Needleworks - Five of Seven Hummers

 

September, 2020 will mark the fourth anniversary of us owning Hickory Hill Farm. Since 2017, I have been putting out hummingbird feeders with homemade nectar. That first year, I put out six feeders, and changed out the nectar every week. We had two hummingbirds visit them.

This year, I've put out three feeders, all in close proximity. Until Wednesday night, I'd seen four hummingbirds, who flittered in and out of the "feeding zone" outside our kitchen windows. If you're a hummingbird watcher/feeder, you know that they can often be little bullies, chasing each other off the feeders, but usually, they manage to co-exist when there are multiple places to eat.

On Wednesday, we were watching the skies as storms started rolling in. We knew they were going to bring a lot of wind and rain. You can imagine my sheer delight, as I watched not four, not five, or even six, but seven little hummingbirds come in together to fill their bellies before the storm!

Handsome (who you may remember is a retired professional photographer) challenged me to catch all of them in one image. Of course, I'm not one to shy away from a challenge, but sadly, I only managed to capture five at one time before the rains dispersed them.

Brynwood Needleworks - Five, Coming In For Food

In my feeble defense, those little bugs are fast! Not only were they concentrating on getting to the feeders (this one seemed to be their favorite), but they also were trying to chase off the others. They also went up to the two feeders I have hanging in the soffit near the main porch entry.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hungry Hummers

Only now, as I edited and am writing this post, do I realize that all the hummingbirds in these images are females (ruby-throated females). The boys must have been the other two zipping in and out of frame - and eating at the upper feeders. Their harems were content to sit at the same buffet.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Busy Little Bugs

 

I can't tell you how delighted I was to even see all of them at the feeders! Catching this many together in my photographs was pure serendipity (and a lot of luck). I've been watching the feeders ever since, hoping to get another chance to capture more multiples. You'll notice the empty hook. I think I'll add one more feeder, and maybe increase my chances. 

By the way, for those of you who might be interested...I make my own nectar, so I thought I'd share the recipe I use. 

 

Hummingbird Nectar

 

Let me say that the old recommendations were to use a 4:1 ration of water to sugar. Research showed that the calculation being used didn't take into consideration that the sugar was a solid, not an equal composition to the water. When the difference was recalculated, it was determined that a 3:1 ratio of water to sugar more closely replicated the nectar produced by flowers. That's the ratio I use when making my nectar.

 

In a saucepan, combine: 

3 c. spring water 

1 c. pure cane sugar. (MUST be cane sugar. If it's not marked "pure cane sugar", it's likely made from beets, which makes hummers sick. I don't skimp on the price of the sugar, so I do pay more for pure cane sugar) 

Stir together and bring the mixture to a boil to remove any bacteria. Remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature before filling the feeders. (I actually put the pan containing the nectar into a sink, filled with cold water to bring down the temperature of the nectar.)

Any nectar left over after filling your feeders can be kept in the refrigerator. Bring to room temp. before filling feeders.

***I empty and clean the feeders once a week unless it's really hot outside, and then I do it more often. Otherwise, the feeders can develop mold, which can kill hummingbirds. As you can see, I don't use any dyes in my nectar. It's not necessary.

I also plant hummingbird, butterfly, and bee-friendly plants, but my feeders stay out to augment what they can eat from my flowers. I also have a small (I mean tiny - it's a little dish used for soy sauce) dish that I place in my birdbath to fill with grape jelly. Not only will the bees eat from it, but I've seen the hummers tasting it, too. 

 

My birdbath has one section of clear glass stones to help the bees and butterflies get a drink of water without drowning. I also clean out my birdbaths as needed, and on especially hot days, I add ice to help keep the water cool. Getting a solar fountain is on my wish list, so they have moving water.

I thought I'd share that information, because I think everything contributes to what attracts the hummingbirds to our yard. I'll continue to install plants that will help draw them to the gardens. These are just a few of the aspects of our home that make it a true haven for us.

They're Here...

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Male

I (sort of) hid behind the handrail and honeysuckle vine and waited. They've been fairly bold, but the male is more skittish than the female. So, I hid and waited.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Male

It didn't take long for my reward. The male flew in first. I think he and his mate have a nest in the apple tree. They flit back and forth between there and the feeder.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Female

I think they take turns, too. The female came to eat next. She hovers more than the male does. He likes to sit to eat, and then take off. She, on the other hand, will fly around and then sit. She stays about twice as long as he does each visit. My camera shutter doesn't bother her either, while he buzzes off at the first shutter click.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Female In Flight

I sat quietly, keeping my head down. The only thing that moved was invisible to them, because it was my finger touching the shutter button. They continued to fly in and away.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Female Feeding

 

I purchased another feeder yesterday. I'm hoping they'll tell their friends that I make the best nectar in the township. I'm hoping they'll raise their babies and bring them to visit the feeder. I'm hoping they'll stay all summer, and until it's time for them to migrate south for the winter...and then, I hope they'll once again return to the farm.