Azaleas and Hummingbirds
Whenever I see azaleas it makes me think of my mother, because for many years there were pink and white ones that lined the flower bed that was on the side of our driveway. I even remember one year on Easter she took a photo of some of my nieces and nephews sitting on the grass in front of those bushes holding their Easter baskets.
As I have stated many times before, my mom loved to try and attract the hummingbirds to our yard with the plants and flowers which were found in our yard. I do not know if my mom specifically planted azaleas because she knew that they would attract hummingbirds and butterflies or not. Did you, mom? It may surprise you, as it certainly did me, to discover that azaleas are poisonous to humans. Were you aware of this fact, mom?
If you choose to plant azaleas as a way to attract both hummingbirds in butterflies, there are several things you need to keep in mind. This information should help you have greater success growing azaleas.
Different varieties of azaleas have a different sun requirement, which means that some varieties will grow in full sun while others will require that it be planted in a shady spot. Azaleas should be grown in raised beds. It is important to keep the soil moist but not overly wet. When you plant the azaleas, you should add mulch, peat moss and other organic materials in generous amounts. These plants grow well in acidic conditions. You will want to add root stimulator and keep them well mulched. Azaleas should be fertilized after they have boomed.
I hope this information provides you will the knowledge to have great success with growing Azaleas. Even though these plants are poisonous to humans, it does not lesson my enjoyment of them, because of the fact that they remind me of my mom and they are known to attract the hummingbirds.
Understanding Hummingbird Mirgration
Hummingbird Banding Up Close
In this video you will discover some fascinating information about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as well as getting to see this bird being banded. For those of you who were wondering, this video takes place at the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center’s Hummingbird Migration Celebration in Holly Springs, MS.
Are There Hummingbirds In Alaska?
Guess what, mom! I just discovered that there are indeed hummingbirds found in Alaska. Maybe Kolin could take some photos of the hummingbirds there if and when he ever gets the opportunity to visit Alaska some day. He has always said that he would love to visit there and see all the beauty that nature has to offer and that it would be an amazing opportunity to photograph the beauty found there. So when you go there Kolin, be sure and try to photograph the hummingbirds for me and in mom’s memory. I’ll be sure an appreciate the hummingbird’s beauty for the both of us.
Now, blow is some information I thought everyone would find quite interesting about the Rufous Hummingbird.
The Rufous Hummingbird is the smallest bird found in Alaska. Just how small is this bird? I have the answer for you. The Rufous Hummingbird is less then 4 inches long and weighs only 3.25 grams. Just to give you some idea how little that truly is in terms of weight, that is less then a penny weighs. Another comparison is that it would take 78,000,000 hummingbirds to equal the weight of a commercial 737 jet.
So, even as far away as Alaska is there are indeed hummingbirds found there. I don’t know about you but I myself find this quite surprising. Why is that you ask? Well, I guess because I probably have the wrong idea that it is always cold in Alaska. Regardless, I hope my brother will one day get to fulfill his dream of visiting and photographing the beauty that is found in Alaska and who knows maybe that could even include some amazing photos of a Rufous Hummingbird.
Guidelines of When to Change Nectar
It is a well known fact that you will need to change the nectar solution in your hummingbird feeder regularly. Just what is meant by regularly? This is something that my mom and so many others have wondered about and never quite had the definitive answer to before. This post will provide you with the information you seek. Well, what is meant by regularly depends on where you live and the temperature you are experiencing in your area of the country.
Below you will find a chart that offers some guidelines as to how often the nectar solution should be changed. The temperatures listed below are only guidelines and are not exact. The information in this list is not my own and comes from the website How to Enjoy Hummingbirds.
High temperatures…………Change nectar after
71-75……………………………6 days
76-80……………………………5 days
81-84……………………………4 days
85-88……………………………3 days
89-92……………………………2 days
93+………………………………change daily
You should keep an eye on your feeders and make sure that the nectar solution does not appear to be cloudy or appear to contain mold. If this occurs, immediately clean your feeders well and fill once more with fresh nectar solution. Another simple rule of thumb is to clean your feeders every single time that they need to be filled once again. It is far better to make sure that your feeders are clean and the nectar solution fresh rather then risking causing any harm to the hummingbirds that we all so enjoy.
"7 Secrets of Attracting, Feeding and Identifying Hummingbirds"
