Kristin,
I have to say that mine are quite bold, and very curious. It is not uncommon for one to fly a foot or two in front of a person's face and hover. I have a one feeder within a foot of a window and it is possible to rest my chin on the window sill and watch them feed.

I was leaving the window open to take pictures, but with all the battles going on, I found this wasn't a good idea. Twice I had one swoop just inside the window and then back out again when another was dive bombing it. I have also had them hit the window a couple times, too. I have to say, though, that they do not spook easily at all. In fact, the cat will get on the window sill and the hummers will get right next to the window to check her out!

Hopefully, yours will be more "tame" next year.

Dave

When I first tried capturing a pic of mine, she was only staying about 10 seconds at the feeder - not even perching - and was gone. So I had to resort to using my 10X zoom from inside while sitting on my sofa, aiming some 20ft through a window, to get a snapshot of her. As time went on, she slowly learned to perch and sip and not to be so skittish and take off so quickly if I tried to sneek over to the window. I often wear red when I'm outside and that has helped to spark some interest in her doing some checking out of things beyond the feeder including me... But I'll never forget the time when she finally decided to really investigate what I had and didn't go flying off in a flash. She even came up to the window to look in for quite some time and has also come over to the sliding glass door to peer in. In fact, there are times when she shows up, positions herself about 7ft up in the air in order to look through my windows from above (I keep the blinds all the way up) to see if I'm actually there as I have the computer monitor there by the sofa that can block me if looking in from lower down... LOL

I now have more than one and I see the different behaviors pretty clearly when trying to get a picture.

Kristin,
As the summer goes on, mine are getting more and more used to me...last week while sitting out on the patio, I had a female or juvie come up within 8 inches of my head and hover all the way around me before zipping up to the feeder. DH says it was my red hair that attracted her, but shortly after, she came back and hovered in front of me as if to say 'thanks for the lovely buffet' and took off to sip from the B&B's and the feeder in that bed. Every morning without fail, I go out with my coffee and sit patiently waiting for enough daylight to see the first feedings. I always sit still for the most part and when they are there, (I know this sounds like a nut case, but...) I always wish them good morning and invite them to breakfast. They've gotten very used to my voice and are much less skitish now and I can move my coffee cup without scaring them now. It makes my day! This feeder is maybe 10 feet from where we sit...

glo

Here is a link that might be useful:

Go outside...work in the yard...just talk to them. They may seem skittish at first...but they really are quite bold.

Like Glo said...talk to them. I think the ones out here recognize my voice...or at least the squeaky kissy sounds I make to let them know I just put out fresh nectar. There have been times when they're buzzing and squeaking right by my head or hand waiting for me to set the feeders down.

They are used to seeing me in the yard...either weeding or with camera in hand...or just sitting under a tree reading a book and swatting at mosquitoes!

It's too hot to stay outside long this time of year...but last fall I literally sat on a ladder I put right up by the feeders. Got lots of good photos that way. The hummies buzzed by me all the time...and got right up in my face many times too.

I got home from work early today and tried to hold out a feeder but they kept going to the others I had hanging near by. Am thinking if I remove all the feeders and hold out the only one remaining I might get them to feed from my hand :o) Will have to try that again later...just too hot this time of year right now.

I bet Frank could easily get the hummies to sip nectar from a hand held feeder. He's got a gazillion hummies that aren't afraid of anything!!!

~ Cat

I'm with you, kristen, if I make any movement, they fly away. the close encounters I have had have been accidental run-ins with juveniles or adult males intentionally scolding me for being in their territory.

do you have a spot where you could sit near a feeder? my folks sit on their porch and their hummers feed right there with them.

my data are very small, but I have a hypothesis. my folks have just a few birds that stay all summer in their yard. I don't think I have any birds that stay all summer, but from july-october, I have scores of migrants passing through. I think that perhaps the birds get more comfortable and familiar with people/things on their breeding grounds than on their migration.
I don't know.
what do you think?

great picture, glo.