Happenings

Two weeks ago, Libby and I put up a hummingbird feeder in our backyard. It was a gracious gift from my parents, and we definitely appreciate it very much. Libby and I put it on the window by our dining room table, so that we can watch them while we eat. It took them about 24 hours to find it, but it seems that it's become a regular fixture in their life.

This weekend, things have gotten really shooken up in hummingbird land, though. A pair of Allen's hummingbirds (apparently migrating South for the winter - I've read they begin to do so slowly during the early summer)have set up a territory that includes the feeder, automatically excluding our more persistant companions of two weeks - three companionable Anna's hummingbirds.

It's fascinating because the Anna's don't have a dominant male. They were all cooperating pretty well, taking turns at the fountain (not that they ever drank simultaneously). The Allens' won't have anybody even in our backyard. They've taken up residence on the avocado tree and chase the others if they even come into our backyard at all. It's almost sad because there's more than enough for all of them.

We've also put up a thistle sack feeder to attract goldfinches, but no luck so far.

Oh, and we've got a little house sparrow chirping just outside our backdoor. It's only got a fuzzy covering of dark brown feathers and is basically a very ugly little tyke. I took a couple of pictures, and I may post them here.

It's nice to have a backyard.