GardenZeal

09/11/2026

08/31/2026

Our Hummies are getting to know us and we’re getting to know them! I was alarmed when I saw red marks on their necks until I read more about Ruby-throated Humming Birds.

08/31/2026

No, this is a young male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. When we started putting small feeders on our kitchen windowsill, 4 tiny Hummingbirds began squabbling around them. We noticed something about this tiny “Hummie”. He had a spot on the side of his throat. At first we thought it was an injury, but we did some research and learned that juvenile male Ruby-throated hummingbirds begin developing their brilliant red throat feathers, called a gorget, a few feathers at a time (females have a white throat and chest). We nicknamed this little fellow,“Rudy,” and kept an eye on him. Then we noticed the others were forming ruffled areas with red spots as well. Rudy seems to be the bully of the bunch, and I think he has run the others off. Today he’s been enjoying the feeder to himself, and we have been able to get a closer look. His red spots are quickly spreading all across his throat. I slowed the video down so you can see the tiny flashes of ruby spots on his throat. Can you see them? Eventually, Rudy’s throat will be covered with bright light-reflecting, iridescent red feathers..

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common in Georgia and the eastern United States. I’ve seen them before, but I’ve never recognized the juveniles or known about the gradual development of the red throats.

Have you seen them in your garden?

08/27/2026

We’re really getting to know our Hummingbirds!

08/27/2026

Our Secrets for Getting Close to Hummingbirds

I found these tiny hummingbird feeders and wondered if they’d work—and they do!
I’ve seen videos of hummingbirds feeding from people’s hands, and I always thought it must have taken a long time to get them that comfortable around people. We have hummingbird feeders throughout our garden, and I’ve even been buzzed by a few Hummies when they thought I was getting too close. Then I found these tiny feeders that fit right on our kitchen windowsill.

My husband, Simon, has been diligent about keeping them filled, and it’s been fun to watch the Hummies gather around. Today we had three or four darting back and forth outside the kitchen window—sometimes feeding and sometimes chasing each other away. Hummingbirds are famously territorial, so there are plenty of squabbles around the feeders. But they all seem to be getting surprisingly comfortable with the people on the other side of the glass.

Lately, they seem to appear as soon as we approach the sink to make our morning tea.
Recently, I reached outside to check a feeder, and one flew so close and hovered so confidently that, for a moment, I thought it might land on my hand!

These tiny feeders need to be filled frequently, and we’ve noticed that the sugar water heats up quickly in direct sun. But when we keep them filled with fresh sugar water, the Hummies seem to appear almost immediately. As I placed a feeder outside this morning, they were so eager to get to it that I thought one might fly right into the house!

Stay tuned and follow along—I’m working up to holding one of these tiny feeders to see if a Hummie will eat from my hand!

So, what are our secrets to making Hummie friends?
1. Feed consistently and predictably.
2. Place feeders near a window with shrubs or trees nearby for cover and perching.
3. Refresh the sugar water regularly, especially in hot weather.
4. Red feeders and flowers work best
5. Give them time to get used to your presence.

Have you ever had hummingbirds come right up to your window—or even eat from your hand? Tell me about it in the comments!

08/23/2026

Do you see the red metallic spot? See the description for more info…

08/23/2026

My husband, Simon, has been diligent about keeping our hummingbird feeders filled, and it’s been fun to watch the “Hummies” gather around. Although they’re territorial and we see plenty of squabbles around the feeders, this little fellow seems to have decided that the people inside the kitchen window are okay.

We placed this hummingbird feeder on the windowsill just outside our kitchen sink, and lately he seems to appear as soon as we approach the sink to make our morning tea.
Recently, I reached outside to check the feeder, and he flew so close and hovered so confidently that, for a moment, I thought he might land on my hand!

We’ve noticed something else about this tiny “Hummie”. Do you see it? He has a metallic ruby-red spot on his throat. We did a little research and learned that he may be a young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Juvenile males begin developing their brilliant red throat feathers, called a gorget, a few feathers at a time. That tiny flash of ruby will eventually become the striking, iridescent throat of an adult male.

Hummingbirds are remarkably good at remembering and returning to reliable food sources. Perhaps this young fellow has already learned that the feeder on our windowsill is a dependable place to find a meal—and that the people on the other side keep it filled!

He certainly seems appreciative, and we’re delighted that our morning routine now includes watching for our tiny visitor on the other side of the kitchen window.

Have you ever had a hummingbird become this comfortable around you?

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

Greener After the Rain 🌿
What a difference a summer rain makes after several very hot days.
The garden looked greener and refreshed in the soft early-morning light—even if it’s a little crowded and jumbled this time of year. We take these sweeping videos of our property throughout the year, partly to share and partly for ourselves. We love looking back and seeing how the garden has developed as we continue to plant, change things, and watch the landscape evolve through the seasons.
The bright blooms of early summer may be fading, but there’s still so much beauty here. The colors are quieter and more subtle now. Seed heads remain for the birds, flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and the garden is very much alive—even if the butterflies were still tucked away on this wet morning.
It doesn’t have to look perfectly manicured to be beautiful—or valuable to wildlife.
And after the rain, on a peaceful summer morning, it felt especially good to simply stop and appreciate another day in the garden. 🌿
Does your garden look a little wild by late summer too?