We love our sweet Hummers, too! Yesterday, one flew into our living room thru the open sliders
(normally the screen in closed, but ... oh dear) and up into a high skylite. He was so frantic and confused, of course, and I tried for 30+ minutes with everything I could think of...DustBuster with cloth, soft words of encouragement, a Plan.....but he'd have none of it. He saw the sky and knew it was where he belonged!! I had to give up and go ... pray! (My eventual-habit for most everything.) In 2 minutes my hubby said, "He's gone!" Snuck out when we gave up! (Yes, we HAD exited the room for several period of time, previously, knowing he may be trying to avoid US! but to no avail....) Thanks, Mom!!
Good idea. They are very easy to grow. Each plant doesn't live many years, but they reseed themselves, so once you get them going, you'll probably have them forever.
“gorget of fire coals” is perfectly worded. Aren’t columbines such intricate, ornate fairy flowers, those bells and stamens and spurs, and the scalloped foliage? I have Eastern red columbine growing and reseeding in many places (it especially loves sidewalk edges), though I’ve yet to notice any hummer visits to them. I will keep a sharp eye out this year!
I’ve been keeping my eyes open hoping to see our friends return. Twice I have heard them buzz past me but have yet to see them. Our columbines just opened yesterday.
Our first ruby finally arrived yesterday April 30. Unfortunately my red columbine hasn’t bloomed yet but I have 3 nectar feeders to tide him over till then
No I agree with you. But I also think that the hummers return to sites they remember even if the columbine hasn’t quite bloomed. I’ve been keeping track of their first arrival for 5-6 years and amazing it’s always with a week timeframe of the previous year. Also love your substack!
Subscriber Pat Hurst emailed the author (and gave permission to show the message here): "Love this one so much!! In Colorado the native Columbine is blue, you would see meadows of them in the Spring. Unfortunately people picked them so that now you don’t see that many. Now I’m watching to see what variety of hummingbird comes to the blue columbines in my yard. Sure love your posts."
Your blue columbines are probably pollenated primarily by insects. Blue is more an insect attractor. Also, I think the blue columbine has long spurs, doesn’t it? That’s also a trait that works for insects with a long proboscis.
The Red Columbine specializes in hummingbirds and has short spurs that are just the right length for the birds’ bills. I would be very interested to hear from readers what columbines other than Aquilegia canadensis (Red Columbine) are attracting hummingbirds, and which ones.
This is so beautiful! I look forward to the hummingbird’s return every year - it makes me smile every morning when I hear them before I see them :) Your photos are beautiful!
Super photos! I too am awaiting the return of the hummingbirds in Maryland. I've got a huge native honeysuckle displaying loads of red flowers for them, but no luck yet. They tend to like the non-native midnight blue sage instead. But those don't blossom till July.... Go figure.
Gorgeous! Especially in Southern Arizona, I found hummingbirds attracted to Ruby the van. My kitchen is on the door, so when I’d leave the door open to keep cool, the kitchen (so also the flowery dish towel) would be outside. But I always thought it was as much Ruby’s color that drew them. On more than one occasion, I’d be at my desk working and suddenly find one hovering nearby, both of us unnerved by each other’s presence. I’d throw open any in opened doors and windows and try to remain calm until the little guy could find his way back out.
Thanks for this gorgeous piece. As ever, I am gobsmacked by your amazing photography.
Wow, I love the image of your opening the door and having your kitchen outside. That must be really refreshing. And I think you're right about the red color attracting your hummingbirds.
Lovely article. So glad to know the hummers are here now--not seen one yet but will get my feeder out today! First red columbine blossoms here in Van Buren yesterday as well.
It amazes me to think about the 1/10-ounce birds starting so far away and timing it so that it arrives here just as the columbines open. But they do it year after year.
I love hummingbirds. Arizona has an incredible variety of them. However, I don't keep a feeder up because they need to be maintained carefully, or it can do more harm than good. I haven't had the time in recent years.
We love our sweet Hummers, too! Yesterday, one flew into our living room thru the open sliders
(normally the screen in closed, but ... oh dear) and up into a high skylite. He was so frantic and confused, of course, and I tried for 30+ minutes with everything I could think of...DustBuster with cloth, soft words of encouragement, a Plan.....but he'd have none of it. He saw the sky and knew it was where he belonged!! I had to give up and go ... pray! (My eventual-habit for most everything.) In 2 minutes my hubby said, "He's gone!" Snuck out when we gave up! (Yes, we HAD exited the room for several period of time, previously, knowing he may be trying to avoid US! but to no avail....) Thanks, Mom!!
This is exquisite in all its layers. Thank you, Diane.
How kind of you to leave this comment. Thank you, David!
The columbines have just started blooming here in Vermont. Maybe as I expand my native plantings in my yard, I'll have some columbine.
Good idea. They are very easy to grow. Each plant doesn't live many years, but they reseed themselves, so once you get them going, you'll probably have them forever.
“gorget of fire coals” is perfectly worded. Aren’t columbines such intricate, ornate fairy flowers, those bells and stamens and spurs, and the scalloped foliage? I have Eastern red columbine growing and reseeding in many places (it especially loves sidewalk edges), though I’ve yet to notice any hummer visits to them. I will keep a sharp eye out this year!
Thank you Carmine. I hope you see hummingbirds!
I’ve been keeping my eyes open hoping to see our friends return. Twice I have heard them buzz past me but have yet to see them. Our columbines just opened yesterday.
You will see one tomorrow!
Lovely! I will be keeping my eye open!
One lovely thing about hummingbirds... they always come back. May it ever be so!
Our first ruby finally arrived yesterday April 30. Unfortunately my red columbine hasn’t bloomed yet but I have 3 nectar feeders to tide him over till then
And here I thought the hummingbird was timing his arrival for the blooming of the columbine. I guess it is only a local phenomenon.
No I agree with you. But I also think that the hummers return to sites they remember even if the columbine hasn’t quite bloomed. I’ve been keeping track of their first arrival for 5-6 years and amazing it’s always with a week timeframe of the previous year. Also love your substack!
Thanks for the kind words Ked.
yes ... tis so!
Subscriber Pat Hurst emailed the author (and gave permission to show the message here): "Love this one so much!! In Colorado the native Columbine is blue, you would see meadows of them in the Spring. Unfortunately people picked them so that now you don’t see that many. Now I’m watching to see what variety of hummingbird comes to the blue columbines in my yard. Sure love your posts."
Hi Pat-
Your blue columbines are probably pollenated primarily by insects. Blue is more an insect attractor. Also, I think the blue columbine has long spurs, doesn’t it? That’s also a trait that works for insects with a long proboscis.
The Red Columbine specializes in hummingbirds and has short spurs that are just the right length for the birds’ bills. I would be very interested to hear from readers what columbines other than Aquilegia canadensis (Red Columbine) are attracting hummingbirds, and which ones.
This is so beautiful! I look forward to the hummingbird’s return every year - it makes me smile every morning when I hear them before I see them :) Your photos are beautiful!
Yes, isn't it a joy to hear that hum! Thank you for commenting.
Well, you've done it again! Inspired and informed and delighted with your knowledge and lovely photography. Thank you, Diane!
Thank you Patty. Lovely to hear from you.
Super photos! I too am awaiting the return of the hummingbirds in Maryland. I've got a huge native honeysuckle displaying loads of red flowers for them, but no luck yet. They tend to like the non-native midnight blue sage instead. But those don't blossom till July.... Go figure.
Sometimes I think the birds don't read the books. Like you say, go figure.
Gorgeous! Especially in Southern Arizona, I found hummingbirds attracted to Ruby the van. My kitchen is on the door, so when I’d leave the door open to keep cool, the kitchen (so also the flowery dish towel) would be outside. But I always thought it was as much Ruby’s color that drew them. On more than one occasion, I’d be at my desk working and suddenly find one hovering nearby, both of us unnerved by each other’s presence. I’d throw open any in opened doors and windows and try to remain calm until the little guy could find his way back out.
Thanks for this gorgeous piece. As ever, I am gobsmacked by your amazing photography.
Wow, I love the image of your opening the door and having your kitchen outside. That must be really refreshing. And I think you're right about the red color attracting your hummingbirds.
Yes, the indoor/outdoor kitchen is a delight and the pride of my van design. :)
Lovely article. So glad to know the hummers are here now--not seen one yet but will get my feeder out today! First red columbine blossoms here in Van Buren yesterday as well.
It amazes me to think about the 1/10-ounce birds starting so far away and timing it so that it arrives here just as the columbines open. But they do it year after year.
I love hummingbirds. Arizona has an incredible variety of them. However, I don't keep a feeder up because they need to be maintained carefully, or it can do more harm than good. I haven't had the time in recent years.
I do put out a feeder, and I carefully change the syrup and wash the feeder every day in summer. The flowers do a much better job.
I should have added that I came from Arizona, but I'm in Texas now. I miss the variety.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you Laura.