I found a solution that has kept my feeders from dripping and attracting yellow jackets and other unwanted pests. This only works for Humzinger-style feeders (not the standard large flower, smaller feeders.) I bought pipe sealant in the hardware section of my grocery store; pipe sealant is non-toxic. I also bought a roll of plumber's tape--the really thin tape used to help pipes seal up. First I cleaned everything really well. Then popped out all of the flowers and slathered a bunch of I then slathered the pipe sealant around where the flowers go in--you want to use a really good amount--and pushed them back in. I then did the same where the top met the bottom "bowl". Next, I wrapped a generous amount of the plumber's tape around that same place to really seal it up. The pipe sealant comes in little tubes and is kind of like working with toothpaste and putty mixed together. (Note: It doesn't fully dry up. It's not supposed to.) The end result is somewhat ugly with the white tape and the white goop around the flowers, but it sufficiently not only stopped the yellow jackets from coming (they tried and tried, but finally stopped.) You will have to replace the tape and pipe sealant now and then around the base, as it expands and contracts with the day heating up and cooling off--and especially so if it's in direct sunlight like mine are. I have a lot of hummingbirds who come my way all summer and all winter (we have Anna's Hummingbirds here in Oregon, and they don't migrate), and they've been very happy about not having the yellow jackets scare them off in the warmer months.

Could you please set up your messaging? Then if you'll message me your address (so we don't put it on the thread where weirdos can find it) and I'll send you some seeds. Heidi This is the link to help you set up your messaging: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3371179/attention-newbies-please-read?n=204

Without photos it is difficult to picture what the "light" or "shiny" spot might be. Sometimes individual birds have unusual feather patches, or have some new feathers coming in that make an area appear different than would be expected for a species. It is worth considering. As an example, this is a photo of an Anna's hummingbird. The white patches on the wings are not typical coloration for the species. (Sorry about the photo quality; it is old and scanned)

Aside from all that lol, basically what everyone else said, many flowers work for hummers. Anything tubular with plenty of nectar is best but they can adapt to some others. Annuals: Zinnia (grow from seed), annual salvias, pentas, impatiens Perennials: Perennial salvias depending on region (Southeast= 'Black and Bloom' salvia & Salvia Amistad are favorites in my yard), Red Yucca, Penstemon/Beardtongue, Purple coneflower (wild type is best but cultivars White Swan, Cheyenne Spirit, & PowWow series are ok), coral bells, hosta, Agastache, Bee balm, columbines, Red hot poker, lilies (but only in addition to other plants) Shrubs: Butterfly bush, Firebush (zone 9+ only), Firespike (zone 8b+ only, not a shrub, herbaceous, but shrub sized), azaleas Small trees: Callistemon/Bottle brush (zone 9+, 'Woodlanders hardy' is zone 7+), Red Buckeye Vines: Trumpet honeysuckle (NOT invasive Japanese honeysuckle, the native kind)... possibly Trumpetvine and Crossvine but both can be aggressive Firebush is my (and my hummer's) absolute favorite btw and might be worth growing in a large container (low water needs) up North and overwintering by a window. Last tips: Minimize or eliminate pesticide use (a big part of hummingbird diets, and what their babies depend on especially, are small insects and spiders) and have feeders up by the time they arrive in spring when they're forming their territories. Hope that helps and I hope you get plenty of hummers next year, good luck!