Today I was absolutely useless helping the wife in housework.  I spent most
of the day with my mouth wide open staring at the  "invasion" of
hummingbirds.  I looked out my windows about every 5-10 minutes and there
was always at least one bird out there on the feeder or perched on top of my
red tip photinias guarding the feeder.  I had at least 5 total that I could
defnitely account for.   I know that because all 5 showed up at one time
around the feeder and flowers and stared at teach other, then the dogfights
began!

It looked like they were acting togethor to draw off the "owner" of the
feeder. As soon as the "owner" and the invader flew off, another one would
dive in for a drink.  Back comes the owner to drive that one off and another
would slip in!

For the first time I also saw them stopping at the flowers regularly all
day.  I had never seen them feed at my flowers before.  Several of the
humminbgirds were stopping at the Lantana's and Zinia's, a first  for me  in
the 2 years I had been gardening and feeding here.

Come to think of it, I saw 15 swallowtails adn numerous smaller butterflies
today also. Another first.  Has the moon changed phase on me? ;)

Lanny, I believe you had told me how to differentate between the Black Chin
and Ruby female based on wing length when folded and the pumping of the tail
when hovering.  Can you educate me again?  I will print it out this time and
add it to my birding book.

A very interesting day for bird watching.  I have got to finish the adaptor
for my binoculars and camera so I can start taking pictures