The honeysuckle has been in full bloom much of the summer, but hummingbirds are rare so far. I’ve only seen one a handful of times, and each of those visits has been brief.
Last summer was our first hummingbird summer, so I don’t have a feel for “normal” hummingbird activity. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens as the summer wears on.
Publication Note: My poem “Doppler Effect” posted at vox poetica on June 19. Many thanks to editor Annmarie Lockhart!
Rae Spencer 
Congratulations on your hummingbird photos! Those are so hard to get and, believe me, I’ve tried. We actually had one sit on top of our table umbrella the other night. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one stay still but at least I managed to get its picture.(even if it was through the window) 🙂
I’m jealous of your umbrella hummingbird photo! Are you going to post it?
Most of my hummingbird photos are complete failures. I’ve taken SO MANY photos of empty air, some with maybe a blur of wing in the corner or an out of focus blob near one edge of the frame. I keep trying, though, because how can anyone resist trying to photograph such beauty?
I don’t think it’s good enough to post, Rae. If I could figure out how to share in a a comment, I would. 🙂
Such beauty is right!
Greetings, Rae!
Thanks for the beautiful photos and inspiring commentary. Hummingbirds are a joy to observe. Although tiny, they are quite territorial and feisty! Yet, they seem to become familiar with our presence and will fly, at very close range, through the mist created by a hand-held hose. We have enjoyed three hatchlings of hummingbird chicks in a nest built atop a wind chime in our a small front porch area. At first, we tip-toed past, as not to disturb Mama Hummingbird. But, with time, she calmly accepted our comings and goings. May you enjoy many upcoming hummingbird seasons in your yard!
I would LOVE to have a hummingbird nest in the yard! Did you do anything special to convince them to nest there? (And I’m curious about your opinion regarding hummingbird feeders. I put two feeders out this spring, but they haven’t been very popular.)