All the Southern Residents Have Returned

Female Ruby-throated




Male Ruby-throated

The lone male ruby-throated returned early in March. Then there were two males. Then there were 3 (or more) males. They were joined by a lone female. Then another. Then another. As of today, we think there are at least 8 ruby-throateds in the immediate vicinity. They dart about so quickly that it is difficult to get an accurate count. We've been feeding at least two male orchard orioles for a couple of weeks. Yesterday we saw the vivid orange and heard the distinct song of a male Baltimore oriole. This morning we saw two males. And there are assorted female orioles coming to the feeders. All the southern residents have returned so all is right with the world.
In addition to several small bottle feeders, we have 15 tubes of nectar strategically placed around the porch and studio and already the tubes are being emptied within 48 hours. Guess it's time to start buying sugar in the BIG bags. And we've already started on our second big jar of grape jelly for the orioles.

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of speaking about the ruby-throated return migration on the local talk radio station. I actually had some listeners call in with questions!

This coming weekend is Artsfest on Walnut Street in Springfield. This is always a great show, and since it's only about an hour and a half from home, it's not a hard show to do. Come on by and see us!

Hummingbird fact for today: A hummingbird must eat nectar about every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Festivals, Hummingbirds, and Chaos

We're home now from our swing through Texas for 3 shows. Mixed results on the shows, but a fun trip none the less.

Came home to find walls, and a roof, and new concrete! As well as piles of lumber, mounds of dirt waiting to be backfilled - the usual construction site chaos. Since we're having them build a new garage as well as a studio, we have no place to park the van except in our front yard. The car is already parked in the neighbor's front yard. Chaos drives both of us crazy. But the weather appears to be finally changing to Spring, so hopefully the construction project will move along nicely now.

We were pleased to learn that we've been accepted once again at both Artsfest on Walnut Street in Springfield, MO, and in Art in the Park in Columbia, MO. These have been great shows in the past and we hope they will be again this year. We've also added a new Art Festival in Lebanon, IL, to our schedule.

We were excited to check out the Ruby-throated migration map and see that hummers have already been spotted in mid-Missouri. So we've put out the feeders and hope the little guys won't be frightened by all the chaos, as well as the trees that are no longer there so we could build. The migration map can be found at http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html.

Hummingbird fact for today: Hummingbird numbers in the US seem to vary considerably. This may be attributed to environmental catastrophes on the wintering grounds, such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and the use of pesticides.

Baltimore Orioles!!!!!

Orioles migrate to South America for the winter and I've been waiting with breathless anticipation for their return. I hear that if there is no food for them, they will not stay. I put out my first orange half and grape jelly over a week ago and have had orchard orioles happily munching away. Today I saw a male Baltimore oriole in the jelly!

Female hummers are also back, about 2 weeks after I spotted my first male Ruby-throated. I saw a female at the feeders yesterday.

Thank you Springfield! Artsfest on Walnut Street is always a fantastic show, rain or shine. Once again, we were thrilled to meet and talk to so many wonderful arts lovers. Home this weekend, and then off to Tulsa for Mayfest. We were there two years ago, and the residents in the Tulsa area support the arts, too! We're looking forward to our return visit.

I want to thank our cat/house/mail sitter, Laura Koeberl. Without Laura, we wouldn't be able to attend the art shows that we do. Laura is a neighbor and also a real estate broker at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you've ever considered buying or selling property at the Lake, please contact Laura at Associated Brokers. Her email is lkhomes@earthlink.net. Her phone is 573-374-2771.

Hummingbird fact for today: Hummingbird preferences are relatively unimportant in selecting a feeder, as the birds are adaptable and will learn to drink from virtually any container.

Pictures of New Items

My pictures arrived this weekend. Thank you Don! Don does a GREAT job with art pictures. He understands art and his pictures reflect this. You can find Don at Casper Photoworks.

So anyway, new items this year include birdbaths utilizing repurposed glass dishes, bowls, and platters. And something I've been thinking about for quite a while - copper shepherd's crooks. Both of these items required a bit of engineering within the copper art element. I'm rather pleased with the results.

It's only Monday, so let's hope the weatherman's dire predictions for next weekend's Artsfest on Walnut Street in Springfield, MO, are totally wrong!

Still not too much activity at the hummingbird feeders. And no sign of an oriole yet. But we've got our feeders ready and our fingers crossed!

Hummingbird fact for today: After feeding, a hummingbird may extend its tongue completely several times, an action that helps clear nectar residue from the mouth and also allows the remarkable length of the tongue to be seen.

Hurray! I saw a hummingbird!

Yep. Was out on the front porch yesterday late afternoon and I heard that familiar sound. He zipped in to the feeder, which was only about a foot away from me. We chatted for a bit, he drank for a bit, and he zipped off. So at least one scout is here. More will, hopefully, follow.

We were at the Greater St. Louis Association's Art Fair at Queeny Park this past weekend. Sales were down a bit from last year, but overall it was a good show. It's indoors, and the weather outside was perfect. There may have been some people who didn't come because of that. Oh well. Things happen. The people that came out saw some fantastic, incredible art.

Next thing up is Artsfest on Walnut Street in Springfield, MO, May 1-2. Followed by Mayfest in Tulsa, OK, May 13-16. We're so excited to be back in both of these shows!

My items are now available in Santa Fe, NM, at Quiquiri. The Flying Pig in Algoma, WI, has new items and Christa's in Lakewood, NY, will soon have new items.

Hummingbird fact for today: Sugar water is more perishable than seed, and feeders should be cleaned and refilled with fresh solution every two to three days.

Disappointing Trip

Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum had a lot of potential. Unfortunately the weather precluded any good news. Saturday was cold and rainy with very few patrons braving the miserable conditions. Sunday morning found about four inches of snow on everything. Thank goodness the tent withstood the weight of the heavy wet snow! Everyone was discouraged and we all packed up in the cold and wet and mud. The lovely flowers at the Arboretum took a real beating!

Despite the disappointing turnout and limited sales, my two new items were well received on this trip. It's always nice when my vision is appreciated by others. So now birdbaths and shepherd's crooks are on my to-do list.

I checked the migration sighting page (www.hummingbirds.net/map.html) today and the ruby-throated hummers are making progress northward. It's really an amazing journey that they make!

Looking forward to the Art Show at Queeny Park in April. And just received word that we're accepted again for Artsfest on Walnut Street in Springfield, MO, in May. Yay!

Hummingbird fact for today: The beauty, fearlessness, and near-magical qualities of hummers have long attracted human admirers--from the Aztecs, who believed fallen warriors were reborn as hummingbirds, to modern Americans, who view them more as fairy tale characters than as wild animals.