It's a...Humingbird Explosion

 For reasons unknown, our hummingbird feeder has been overrun with hummers the last 3 days or so (it is 5 Sept today). We have had as many as 8 hovering around it, and that's a problem, as it only has 4 "flowers". We have had all four occupied at once, which is pretty unusual because they are not accepting towards each other. As most of you know, they fight constantly.

I am unsure as to why hummers are so appealing. They are marvelous to watch--so tiny, so maneuverable, so animated. Last year we found 2 of their nests in our pines in the backyard. We haven't seen a one this year. But there has been a steady supply of hummers--though never this many.

We first speculated that one of our close neighbors had taken down their feeder, or perhaps had an empty feeder. It is also possible that these are pausing on their southward migration, and stocking up on food for the long journey to Mexico or Central America. This is the right time of year.

Regardless of the reason, we are thoroughly enjoying this "flock" of hummers. Their constant fighting, even when there is plenty of food for all, reminds us of ourselves. Humans are like hummers.

They are very hard to photograph with a phone, but here are a couple:

I only got singles, but trust me, there are gangs out there now.

Ah, the beauty of G^d's creation.