I am much too lazy to have a hummingbird feeder. I never manage to keep enough food made, or to clean the feeder often enough, so instead of bringing me joy, hummingbird feeding has always filled me with guilt. Plus our deck, where we want the birds to visit, is in full sun, and the food gets too hot. We do, however, have a yard planted with lots of cover and food for hummingbirds, so we see plenty of the two Seattle species–Rufous and Anna’s.
Hummingbird favorites: Crocosmia, spiraea, sweetpea, nasturtium, and pineapple sage (aka "hummingbird sage").
To bring them up to our deck where we can observe them closely, but without the worry of a feeder, I’ve been placing jars with a few of their favorite flowers along the deck railing. I’m pretty sure this is the all-time perfect hummingbird feeder: lovely to look at, pleasant to refill, and much better nectar than I could ever make. This morning I was enjoying my first cup of java on the porch, and an Anna’s Hummingbird came right up to the jar of pineapple sage, just inches from my face. I could feel the wind from her wings on my cheek. What a nice way to start the day–a hummingbird and I, sipping together.
Tessa at Blunders with Shoots, Blossoms 'n Roots // Jul 28, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Just a wonderful idea- up close and personal, not to mention a beautiful way to enjoy these intriguing birds!
Rose De Dan // Jul 30, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Love the idea, and your blog, have added it to my blogroll. I live in West Seattle and am an author also, looking forward to meeting you at your upcoming book reading at Elliott Bay. Best wishes, Rose
lyanda // Jul 30, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Thanks Rose! Be sure and say hi at Elliott Bay–I look forward to meeting you!
Audrey // Aug 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I love this idea. I’ll have to steal it for my next outdoor breakfast. Your flowers look so lovely, too. It’s gotten too hot here for most of my blossoms, but they’ll be back soon.
Baby Bushtits and Late Spring Birdlife // May 30, 2010 at 11:01 AM
[...] written before about how I prefer feeding birds with plants, rather than maintaining feeders. For Bushtits, I [...]
bird man // Aug 20, 2011 at 8:06 AM
love your article we too have lots of little hummingbirds feeding from the feeders and flowers around the Koi Pond, your friut jars with their favorite flowers is a gr8 idea thanks.
Become a Human Hummingbird Feeder // Jul 25, 2012 at 9:49 AM
[...] more, see my earlier post on hummingbirds and homegrown hummingbird [...]
Ingrid // Jul 25, 2012 at 10:41 AM
This is such a great idea. I’m trying to create a hummingbird habitat on our apartment balcony, and am not sure if I’ll be able to provide enough foliage to make them feel secure. Our garden back in SF had a lot of natural cover, so creating it from scratch on an urban balcony is a bit of a challenge.
Barbara Demarco-Barrett // Jul 29, 2012 at 6:52 AM
I love hummingbirds and have a couple of feeders around the property. But I’m going to go to the nursery and buy more bright read plants/flowers. I’ve always wanted to feel the brush of hummingbird wings against my cheek. Seriously.