Date: 09/08/2021

Number: 4

I just reported in the "adult male sighting" page that our resident adult ruby male, Sparky, has left on his journey. I last saw him on Monday, September 6th, in the afternoon. I didn't seem him that evening or all day yesterday. I knew the time was coming.

I can't quite tell if our resident adult ruby female mama (aka Miss Shimmer) is still here, as the female juveniles now are looking more like her. She has always been much more elusive and difficult for me to spot.

We do have several still zipping around. I would say at least 4. And they are all either a combination of the female mama and juveniles or just juveniles. There is not nearly as much fighting and chasing going on now. They all seem to be much more independent minded and are feeding on various gardens of perennials and annuals throughout our front and back yards, as well as visiting our 7 feeders often as well. Most times when I go outside, there is one or more chittering and zipping around and I see on or more at feeders and flowers both in the front and back yards.

They are currently enjoying butterfly bushes, zinnia, late blooming lilac, coleus, trumpet honeysuckle, Mexican sunflower, different varieties of salvia, petunia, nasturtium, various herb and vegetable flowers, lantana, begonia, shrimp plant, lobelia, Rose of Sharon, and Hibiscus. I will plant lots more for them next year.

I know they will be leaving soon. I'm keeping an extra close eye on them. I will miss them dearly. God speed, my sweet little hummers. I pray they all have a safe and pleasant journey, full of good food and beautiful weather.

Kernersville, NC

Latitude: 36.1 Longitude: -80.1

Observed by: Sophie
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