Winter Hummingbird in my garden

23 Feb '07 4:59 am

Dear Jack, I just realized I never answered your question about crayfish in the backyard. Well, these are not exactly like the shrimp type creatures from the sea, but they are closely related. These crayfish live in marshy areas all over the southern half of the U.S. (and possibly elsewhere as well). When we lived in Louisiana, we called them crawfish and they are considered a great delicacy there. They are harvested from the salt marshes by the thousands. Here on our property we have a small seasonal marsh where the crayfish thrive. I remember a year ago after a heavy rain in the spring, I was walking around the marsh area while talking on my cell phone when I began to notice crayfish everywhere. I think they were emerging from their holes for a mass mating session and they were all over the grass surrounding the marsh. We often find their carcasses on fence posts and pavements where the local Great Blue Heron has been feasting.

I actually have what I think is a funny story about my dauther Cathy when she was about eight years old. We were living in Baton Rouge, LA at the time and the neighborhood children loved to go into the woods and dig crayfish (crawfish). They were always bringing them home to keep like pets in their backyard wading pool. One day Cathy and a couple of her little friends decided to set up a crawfish stand (like a lemonade stand, except with crawfish). They had five or six crawfish, the largest of which they had named Big Red. Now in south Louisiana, crawfish are big business as I mentioned. People are always on the lookout for vendors selling crawfish by the pound for Crawfish Boils. Well, these small girls set up a little child size picnic table in the front yard and made a sign that advertised crawfish for sale. I was keeping an eye on them from a window in my house; so I saw a car pass by and them slam on their brakes, back up and ask how much the crawfish were. Cathy held up Big Red and said this one is five cents. The driver had a totally disgusted look on his face as he sped off. I still laugh about this to myself.

23 Feb '07 1:47 pm

I think he was a bargain!

24 Feb '07 3:04 am

Me too, Anna; especially because recalling that little episode has given me so much pleasure over the years. It was priceless!

25 Feb '07 9:28 am

Faith, I think hummingbirds are one of the most amazing creatures we get to share our gardens with. I've never seen a rufous around my place so it was nice to get to see one up close. I wonder what it felt like to have it in your hand. I doubt it weighed enough to register. I imagine it would be very soft. Dixie, I didn't know that hummingbirds could fly backwards. But now that I think about it I've certainly seen them hovering infront of flowers and zipping in forwards, and back out backwards. Here is a fact I picked up somewhere: hummers can reverse their direction, going fullspeed one direction to going full speed in the opposite direction in a fifth of a second. Around here they really like the salvias, and the big red gesniflora in the front hedge blooms all year long, only fading when it gets unusually hot. It has never died back from the frosts. I don't know about what they say about them prefering red flowers. Of the salvias there seems to be more action around the 'Waverly' Salvia which is white with purple bracts. They also seem to favor the little orange flowers that the succulents put out and the red ones of the 'california fushia'.
-Thanks for sharing the photos, Mark

26 Feb '07 4:20 am

I find it funny that all my bird books say that the Roufous hummingbird is only found in California and Canada, yet I have one in my garden this winter. Just goes to show that even the experts don't know everything.

26 Feb '07 4:53 am

I love that story about the crawfish and your daughter. That was just lovely and made us all laugh. Those are the best days...when our children do things like that. Makes us know what being a mom or dad is worth!

26 Feb '07 10:40 am

Faith, Sorry it took so long getting back. The day I joined my computer quit working and I just got it going again. It was about your avtar. The humming bird I just love it. I will be sticking around and will post pictures later. Thanks, Cindy

27 Feb '07 2:27 am

Glad you got your computer problems resolved. Isn't it amazing how we have come to rely on them? Looking forward to seeing more posts from you.

30 Mar '07 8:07 am

Hello Faith, so interesting to see all the critters in our yard.I have just put in a bird feeder but have had ho hungry feathered firends come to call yet. I think our two cats are the problem, however given time and the upcoming winter I am sure they will come.
This is the only wildlife to come calling at our house. We heard a scrabbling noise outside and found two hedgehogs.
Cheers, Tess

30 Mar '07 5:14 pm

What delightful looking creatures. Where in the world do get visitors like this? I think I'd like to sign up for some. Are they tough on your plants? Even if they were I think I'd be happy to sacrifice some plants to keep them coming around. Very cool.
-Mark

Winter Hummingbird in my garden

Crayfish explanation for Jack

Bargain at any price

Wow! What a special experience.

Thanks to you Mark

Good to see you back, Cindy

wildlife

Hi Teejay, hope you don't mind my hogging in.