Environment
Hummers Fly To Their Own Drummer
May 31, 2010 
While visiting Camp David at Frazier Peak near Cascade (our humility is AWESOME!) over the Memorial Day weekend we were bombarded with hummingbirds–looks like a banner year.
Male Calliope hummingbird at feeder.
While we don’t have the 30 variety of species here in Idaho that we saw this winter working the “day job” in Costa Rica, they are fun to watch and feed. Our favorite feeder location is outside the kitchen window so we can dine with the hummers, whether in the mountains or in Boise.
Directions from the Smithsonian Bird Center for making safe hummingbird food:
–Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water and bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold present.
–Cool and fill feeder.
–Extra sugar water may be stored in a refrigerator.
–Red dye should NOT be added.
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Comments & Discussion
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© 2010 Boise Guardian. 
Jun 2, 2010, 10:19 pm
I knew there was a birder in you…somewhere!
Jun 3, 2010, 10:20 pm
Thanks for the peaceful post. I too am a bird watcher. Birds are magnificent with their many colors and humorous antics, not unlike politicians, yet less malignant!
Glad you had a respite from the day job and BG. Keep up the great work!
KTA
Jun 6, 2010, 12:15 am
My sweet spends lots of time on our deck near the two hummingbird feeders and has gotten a few really good pictures. Photography is a good hobby, and thanks to its “digitalness” and the internet can be shared with friends and relatives around the nation and the world. Love it.
Jun 10, 2010, 9:53 am
I’m not sure if I’ve got the name correct, but I think I’ve got yellow taningiers “lighting” on some purple flowers of mine. I also have a feeder for these that the folks at Zamzows educated me about, and they are so numerous I can hardly believe it! I was told Idaho didn’t have many.
EDITOR NOTE–Diane, you have a couple of things. The yellow birds with black cap (males) and eating thistle seeds from the feeder are GOLD FINCHES. This year we also have a huge crop of WESTERN TANAGERS which are also yellow, but with a brilliant red head (male).
Jun 16, 2010, 12:06 am
FYI Fellow Bird Watchers/Lovers:
I just discovered that the Boise Art Museum has two bird-centered art exhibits: “John James Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist”(through Aug. 22)and “Birds of a Feather” through Oct. 3.
More info at: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/11/1225991/art-for-the-birds.html#ixzz0qzeB6glm