Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Single Living Skill: Invite Some Hummers to Your Yard

Have you ever been outside on a nice sunny day and suddenly startled by a quick humming sound, a whirring, darting miniature UFO and a flash of ruby? Quick as a spaceship and friendlier than an alien, hummingbirds have probably already arrived in your neighborhood (unless you're very far north), so it's not too early to put out a feeder!

You can easily attract them with a red plastic hummingbird feeder that you can find from $5 to $15 dollars at any discount store or garden center. The different styles hang from a tree branch or hook or will attach to a widow with suction cups. If you get a couple of them and also offer some hanging flower baskets I'll bet the hummingbirds will be buzzing by quick as a wink!

Instead of buying syrup, you can easily make your own. This is a well-known recipe I found on Bridgett's blog last year. A shady spot is best, and be sure to clean the feeder and replace the syrup at least once a week so bacteria doesn't grow in it and harm the hummers.

Hummingbird Food

4 cups water
1 cup granulated cane sugar

Bring water to a boil; add sugar and stir until dissolved. Let mixture cool before pouring into feeder. Leftover mixture can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Hummingbirds amaze me, and I hope you'll get to enjoy their company this summer. They're God's marvelous creation!
ferree

2 comments:

  1. One thing this widow does,is watching and photographing birds.while I am doing this I feel alive and refreshed.My Hummer feeders are going up soon.

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  2. Ruth, I cannot get over your fantastic photography! I've been following your blog for months now and you do truly amazing work. Your love for the Lord and His creation shines through your grief. Hugs to you. (Everybody visit Ruth's blog! Just click on her name!)

    ReplyDelete

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