Sounds like your plant is making a nice recovery after that severe cold snap you had experienced. I keep my 'Cezanne' container grown and it's a real bloom machine right into late fall and it doesn't stop even when placed in the coldroom for winter! Terry

"It's not long now." I think you measure long in days - here we measure it in inches - lol. Here is a look out towards my back garden on Jan 31st - warmer temps this week have put a big dent in the snow cover - probably 1/2 or so is gone. Today the cooker is on bare wood, but Sunday AM thru Monday AM they are forecasting 8-10in of the white stuff. Only green I'm seeing is some seedlings in the basement under lights. By the way, there's a turkey breast and baked potatoes cooking in pic above, yum - it was a balmy 20 degrees above. Cheers from the wintry northlands. Paul

Sass - Where are you in Lakeland? I live here too and seeing an Allen's is very rare. I don't know if you know Joe M who lives in Christina but he had one a couple winters ago. Our area usually gets hummers starting around now as migrants and then those that come in Jan. or so stay through till about April. A few of us here in Lakeland have had banders come and band and id the birds as part of a 10 year study to see where they migrate to in the summer. If you are interested, please let me know and I can get in touch with one of them. Rufous are similiar to Allens, and friend and I both had one last winter. Please contact me through GW. I also posted about recording sightings through Audubon. I am not doubting your id of your bird, just really excited cause I know it is unsual for them to be here. I know it is something that should be documented. Congrats on your hummers!

Congrats! It seems that the first time you have the good fortune of a visit, it's a mesmerizing experience. Not that subsequent visits are any less special of course. We also had our first encounter last week. After being inspired to create some sort of hummer-friendly space after our visit to the Arizona Sanora Desert Museum last winter, I was beginning to wonder if my work had been in vain. Then, as I was out weeding in the afternoon, I heard what sounded like the biggest bumblebee in the world beside me. Somewhat concerned, I turned to see a very large ruby-throat hovering in front of the coral honeysuckle vine. Shortly after it left, we were visited by a much smaller, bright green ruby. It stayed for several minutes, feeding on the honeysuckle, cardinal flower and various salvias we've "installed." Here's to more visits and further encounters with the little winged wonders!