Hummingbirds, in Photo and Song

A dozen of my images, plus hummer tunes by Leonard Cohen, Wilco, B.B. King, Maron Morris and Jimmy Page.

Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books (see link) and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre” which are still up at PBS.org. Before all that, he was a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy. You can still subscribe to this newsletter for free.

Don’t recall if my mom loved hummingbirds, but my wife sure does, so I hope she accepts the following as a special Mother’s Day gift.

We’d seen few ourselves until a few years ago when we learned we might attract some to our deck out back if we planted a few plants they allegedly liked. Only the “firecracker” variety worked but we were thrilled to have even one tiny, speedy winged visitor for a spell.

The following year we planted more firecrackers and got more visitors. Then we bought a small feeder which my wife manages with refills of sugar water. Last year we added a second feeder and counted about four different regular visitors. There is evidence that many hummers return to their previous feeding spot for a second summer, so I like to think of some of ours as old friends. Hard to distinguish any of them, but last year one earned the nickname “Long Neck.” Another grew surprisingly plump as she prepared for the long migration south. We seem to attract few of the males with their striking red necks.

All of this inspired my son and his partner Cory to put up their own feeders out on the balcony in Pasadena where they enjoy the show year round.

So, below, five “Hummingbird” songs and then more than a dozen of my photos over the past three years. Feel free to '“hummer” along. And Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate.

The B.B. KIng classic, written by Leon Russell, “Hummingbird”

One of Leonard Cohen’s final songs/poems, “Listen to the Hummingbird”

The fine young songwriter Maren Morris with her “Hummingird”

Wilco’s “Hummingbird”

And the Jimmy Page workout, with Chris Farlowe planting his flag

With firecracker

Always ready for close-up, when they finally take a rest

One of my son’s visitors, West Coast variety, nicknamed “Friendly”

Very rare spotted at such close quarters—often they duel over a feeder

Probably snatching a small bug

How does a hummer itch a scratch, or scratch an itch, or clean itself?

Landscape, with nasturtiums

Enjoying the rain

My wife amazingly spotted this hummer nest just below our balcony at a hotel near Pasadena

Occupied. You can imagine how small the eggs must be.

Hello!

And off to feed again, lunch time, dinner time, any time.

Our first visitor this year—the elusive male.