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Hummingbird Garden

I think I saw a hummingbird or was it a bee?

ellieandethansmom

18 years ago

Ok, so I am new at hummingbirds, planted an entire garden for them and have been waiting to see just one this summer. I THINK I saw one but it looked nothing like the pictures I have seen----I have tons of bumble bees and it was definately larger that a bumble,

one and a half inches long

black and yellow markings

wings that didn't ever stop

had a sort of tongue thing that unrolled into the flowers (beebalm and balloon flower)and then rolled back in----what was this???

I got very close and was able to follow it around without scaring it at all. I even had the kids get close with me.

It was so small I can't believe this was a hummingbird! What was it?

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Comments (5)

ellieandethansmom
Original Author
18 years ago
Ok I think I just answered my own question, it looks like it was a Hummingbird Clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe).

Such a bummer, I thought I had gotten a rare hummingbird into my garden!
klflorida
18 years ago
Your post is too cute. I'm no hummingbird expert, and like you I have only recently caught the bug but you have come to the right place! I assure you, if you have planted a hummingbird paradise, as it sounds as though you have, you will most assuredly see them.

I just read your profile, or what ever it is called, you HAVE caught the bug!! I live in Florida, and I can't believe the number of people who have been here for years and have never seen one. I've never heard that about Virginia, I also lived there for about five years while hubby was stationed at Quantico and although I miss so much about our time there, I don't miss the commute into DC or the winters. I do miss the fall colors though.

Hang in there, you are off to an extraordinary start!
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Tisha, I can't imagine why they haven't found your yard. Have you asked your neighbors if anyone ever has any hummers? It seems if they are around the neighborhood, they'd stumble across your yard at some point, especially since you have feeders out. They do eat insects, and feed the insects to their young as well, so if you happen to live in a neighborhood where a lot of people regularly use pesticides, or where the city or county routinely sprays for mosquitoes, that could be impeding your insect population which might cause the hummers to go elsewhere looking for the insects they need. We have had a whole lot of hummers here in Love County--many more than usual. I'm not seeing as many right now, but that is probably because they are hatching and caring for their young. Once the little ones begin to fly, it gets busy again. I still see them, but just not as often as I was about 3 weeks ago. The times I am most likely to see them are early in the morning, shortly after sunup, and then in the evening, not too long before sunset. I guess they are coming to the feeders for breakfast and dinner, but apparently not for lunch. Sometimes I put up a patio mister for them and they come and either play in the mist or bathe in it. A sprinkler also will attract them. Don't give up. Keep the feeders out and keep your eyes open. I think they'll find you sooner or later. Dawn
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richardzone7maryland
18 years ago
I think you are right -- it was probably a hummingbird moth you saw. You probably have hummingbirds visiting your garden already, but you just haven't seen them. They don't hang around very long and since here in the Maryland/Virginia area we do not get large numbers of hummers it is not so easy to see one.

The first time I spotted a hummer in my yard was when I was watering my flowers. Evidently the hummer wanted a drink too.

Richard
alan_la
18 years ago
Yes it more than likely was a Humming bird Moth, I bet it was in the Evening. But hang in there It's just a matter of time.
mimidi
18 years ago
Yeap just a matter of time. If you planted the flowers they will come.

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