Happy hummingbirds

We're lucky to have both resident and migrating hummingbirds here along the Southern California coast.  Their activity is more noticeable and intense during the summer months when the various species compete vigorously for flower nectar.  As they're moving almost constantly, I find them hard to photograph.  While my brother is something of a hummingbird whisperer, I find that the birds disappear as soon as I walk out the door, although they occasionally sweep over my head when chasing one another.  Luckily, they're currently obsessed with a garden bed outside my home office window so I've had opportunities to catch them with my camera from inside the house.

Hummingbirds occasionally rest, if not for long.  I've noted that they like nectar plants that provide nearby sanctuaries, like trees and large shrubs.  This one sought refuge in either the tree-sized Leucadendron 'Pisa'  it's perched on here or the strawberry tree (Arbutus 'Marina') just a few feet away.

My ability to discern one hummingbird species from another is questionable at best but my best guess is that this is a female or immature male Allen's hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)

The red head on this one led me to conclude that this one is an adult male Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna).  Members of this species are year-round residents along the Pacific coast.

When the wings were in motion, I didn't get clear shots.  This one was inspecting the "flowers" of Leucadendron 'Blush'.

This was a poor shot of the wings but look at those feet!

This shot is clearer and my guess is that this is the Allen's hummingbird again.  Based on the sheer number of shots I took, most of which weren't worth saving, the birds' favorite nectar flower in this bed was the Lobelia laxiflora shown here.

Rear shot of what may be the same bird

The bed visible from my home office isn't the only one that attracts a lot of hummingbird activity but it pulls in visitors on a steady basis.

View of the bed from one angle

This angle gives a better view of the plants providing nectar

They favor certain flowers in this area.

Agapanthus - I saw the birds feeding on these white Agapanthus nearby but I couldn't manage a good shot from inside my office

Arbutus 'Marina' - In addition to seeking shelter within the branches of the strawberry tree, the bird's also sought out the tree's flowers as another source of nectar but they were too well camouflaged to provide me with good photos

Lantana camara - They regularly fed on the bed's Lantana 'Irene'

Leucospermum 'Royal Hawaiian Brandi'  - The flowers are almost gone now but were previously of interest

Lobelia laxiflora  - This was their favorite source of nectar and the basis for numerous battles

Elsewhere in the garden I've observed a particular appreciation for other plants like these:

Callistemon 'Cane's Hybrid'  - The flowers were already drying up and losing their peach-pink color when I took this photo in June but, at its floral peak, this shrub was another focus of fierce battles

All Cupheas, including these Cuphea 'Vermillionaire' are hummingbird magnets

Grevillea 'Superb' - With its year-round crop of flowers and Cuphea at its base, this large shrub is a major draw for hummingbirds in my front garden.  The Magnolia tree behind it provides a safe spot to rest between battles too.

Do you have hummingbirds in your garden?  Which plants do they favor?

All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party