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!

Think I have at least 6-8 now.Some small males and think a few females and one larger male that is a real showoff and kind of a bully.He buzzes louder then the rest and likes to buzz right in front of you with wings outspread and red throat showing.He spent most of today chasing after the others to get them away from the feeders right over my head while I was potting up some flowers.Guess I'll put another feeder out back.Tried to watch the video of the nest but only got sound and a black screen.

I used a Bayer 3in1 hose end product on the roses. I have no idea if it will help at all or not. I have seen them on: roses cherry tree sassafras tree corn hibiscus moscheutos I need to go out back and check the new orchard! I am trying to pick them off as I see them and drown them in a coffee can of water. I suspect it is a loosing battle. I know they love the elm trees....those they can have!

I'll certainly post pictures, Melissa! I have my work cut out alright, Mary! I brought home a group of pipevine swallowtail caterpillars from RickinLA's pipevines. His property is so beautiful! He's even got a beautiful lake in his backyard! I've decided to go ahead and raise all these myself, so I'll get out another cage tomorrow to give them plenty of room. I've left them on the porch tonight, but I covered the cage they're in as well as the one that holds the other cats I'm raising. It's turned cold, only 52 degrees out now, supposed to go into the 40's. We had a mild winter, but it was a long one, since it's still going on now! Sherry