Never a quiet moment

Here's are two videos - random 30 seconds of both sides of the house/shop. Not sure if we have backyard birds and frontyard birds, or if they all go to all the feeders.

The Flock Has Increased

After a few relatively quiet weeks at the feeders, we now have much-increased activity. The most plausible explanation for this is that the first brood of hummers has come off the nests. So we've put out more feeders and we're making 2 gallons of nectar every couple of days. Our Baltimore and Orchard orioles are still around, but they are having to fight the darn sparrows for the jelly.

We'll be heading off to Eagle Nest, NM, and then Sedona, AZ, in just a couple of weeks. Both shows are inside (thank goodness) and provide an excellent road trip. The 2nd Annual Hummingbird Festival in Sedona will be the highlight of the trip. We had a great time last year in the company of so many hummingbird lovers!

Our summer has been relatively quiet, but the fall will keep us hopping for sure. We're ready to hit the road and see some more of this great country. Art in Bayfront Park in Duluth, MN, in mid-August will be new territory for us. And speaking of new territory, Ozarklake feeders can now be found at Wild Birds Unlimited in Hockessin, DE, and Tuscaloosa, AL.

Hummingbird fact for today: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/hummingbird-tongue-drinking/ It's VERY informative.

We have a winner

We attended the very first Peculiar Arts Festival in Peculiar, MO, five years ago. We went back this year for their 5th annual event. This is a very well run show. We were honored with a Purchase Award from the arts festival committee.

We also very much enjoyed their music, including the Krazy Kats. The Kats have been together since 1957 and although they move a bit slower and have gray hair, their sound is still pretty darn good!

Activity at our hummingbird feeders has slowed down quite a bit. That is common this time of year as mom is sitting the eggs. Once hatched, mom will concentrate on a protein diet to feed the youngsters. We will have lots of activity at the oriole feeders. There are at least 3 male Baltimore's and 4 male orchard's that visit frequently. Plenty of females, too, but not sure which are Baltimore orioles and which are orchard orioles.

We will be at the Wild Birds Unlimited trade conference later this month in Indianapolis. This will be a first - both with WBU and a large trade show. With over 250 franchise store owners in North America, we are hoping to make in-roads with many of them.

Our next "big" gig will be High Country Arts Festival in Eagle Nest, NM, followed by the Hummingbird Festival in Sedona, AZ. September and October will be kind of crazy, with shows nearly every weekend. Keeping busy with the feeders keeps us out of trouble and the plus is that we get to see a lot of our great country.

Hummingbird fact for today: Hummingbirds reject flower types that produce nectar that is less than 10% sugar.

The Human Hummingbird Feeder

Anyone who knows Terrie knows how nuts she is about hummingbirds. We are fortunate this year because it seems that all the hummers that were here before their migration have returned. The cold snaps we keep having are contributing to their need to feed. The activity around our feeders is just crazy, especially at dusk as they pack in the calories for their nightly torpor state. Armed with three tubes of nectar, Terrie became a human hummingbird feeder this week. Yes, hummingbird lovers, they will come THAT close to you.

The orioles have returned as well. There are plenty of male orchard orioles as well as at least three male Baltimore orioles. So this summer we'll be buying a lot of oranges and grape jelly!

Birdfest Texoma was a lot of fun. It's very rewarding to spend time with people who appreciate our feathered friends. Next weekend we'll be at Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair in Springfield, IL. A reporter from the State Journal-Register called this week and our items will be featured in an article to be published on Thursday. Gotta love free publicity!

Hummingbird fact for today: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are so lightweight that you could mail 8 of them for the price of a first-class postage stamp.

BirdFest Texoma

Friends of Hagerman are hosting BirdFest Texoma May 3-5 near Sherman, TX. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge offers  an 11,000 acre-plus home for wildlife - water, marsh, prairie and woods, with over 300 bird species sighted since the Refuge was established. Noted birder, painter, and author David Sibley is the keynote speaker. Jonathan Wood, master falconer and wildlife rehabilitator, has assembled a collection of feathered predators that is unrivalled in scope and size. Thirty-six birds will be presented in the Raptor Project show at BirdFest Texoma! Three full days of birding, wildlife and nature activities will make for a great weekend. We plan to be there!


If you find yourself in Hardy, Arkansas, stop and see Marc and Linda Herring at Ozark Classic Crafts Mall on Main Street. In addition to Ozarklake hummingbird feeders, you will find all kinds of wonderful handcrafted items.

Hummingbird fact for today: Feeders hung at the window attract as many hummers as feeders placed further from structures.

And now Orioles are returning!

Had a pair of Orchard Orioles at the hummingbird feeder yesterday. So now we have our grape jelly and orange half feeder out. This morning we saw a male Baltimore Oriole. Even though it is only in the 30's this morning, Spring is here!

Hummmingbird season at Lake of the Ozarks!

We now have two males. Females should start showing up in 10-14 days. Woo-hoo!