View Full Version : I just saw the coolest thing on my banana plant!
lkstapleton
05-13-2010, 01:09 PM
I was watering my "balcony bananas," and a HUMMINGBIRD came by, checked me out by flying so close to my ear that it tickled, and then it landed on the rib of one of my wet banana leaves and started slurping up water droplets with that long flicking tongue that they have.
He was already adorable, and then he started to slip around a little on the leaves, kind of like that little penguin in "Happy Feet." I tried to be as still as possible so as not to frighten it, and maybe a minute passed, and then ANOTHER hummingbird flew by and tried to land on the same banana plant. The original ran him off--er, FLEW him off, I guess--and then came back and "bathed" a little more on the leaf until finally flying off.
Jeez, I love gardening.
http://www.bananas.org/images/smilies/banana_files/goteam.gif
Lisa
http://www.bananas.org/images/smilies/banana_files/woohoonaner.gif
cherokee_greg
05-13-2010, 01:38 PM
cool deal great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patty in Wisc
05-13-2010, 01:48 PM
Couple years ago, I was carrying a small pot of flowers & heard that 'humming' sound behind me. I turned around & there was a hummer hovering 2 ft away. I wasn't as cool as you...it scared me so I sorta jumped & it flew away. Maybe the flowers & my red shirt attracted it. Now, I put out feeders all summer. They are soooo cool to watch :)
sunfish
05-13-2010, 02:20 PM
I was watering my "balcony bananas," and a HUMMINGBIRD came by, checked me out by flying so close to my ear that it tickled, and then it landed on the rib of one of my wet banana leaves and started slurping up water droplets with that long flicking tongue that they have.
He was already adorable, and then he started to slip around a little on the leaves, kind of like that little penguin in "Happy Feet." I tried to be as still as possible so as not to frighten it, and maybe a minute passed, and then ANOTHER hummingbird flew by and tried to land on the same banana plant. The original ran him off--er, FLEW him off, I guess--and then came back and "bathed" a little more on the leaf until finally flying off.
Jeez, I love gardening.
http://www.bananas.org/images/smilies/banana_files/goteam.gif
Lisa
http://www.bananas.org/images/smilies/banana_files/woohoonaner.gif
Put up a feeder and they'll be there all the time.
palmtree
05-13-2010, 05:27 PM
Ive only seen one hummingbird by me in my front yard and it zipped down the street like lightning!! Then I saw probably 100 of them in Disney World a few years ago. At first I thought they were bugs because the were all over the place! They must have liked the flowers that were planted there.
Right now my orleanders have aphids, but because of that I have seen tons of lady bugs. Still havent seen any praying mantis yet and I have seen those every summer for a few years now in my yard.
Good luck!
saltydad
05-13-2010, 06:15 PM
There are hummingbirds here that show up in spring; I saw my first one last week drinking from my variegated weigela blossoms. I love having them around.
harveyc
05-13-2010, 11:21 PM
Thanks for sharing, Lisa, though I wish you had a photo to share! ;)
I have plenty of humming birds around here but have never seen one around my bananas. Maybe I need a balcony??? :ha:
lkstapleton
05-13-2010, 11:46 PM
Yeah, I would have gone for a camera, but I was afraid I'd spook the little guy if I moved at all. The funniest thing is that his little feet keep slipping--I guess wet banana leaves are kind of slippery if you're a hummingbird--so then he'd flap his little wings a little until he could get better footing on the "spine" of the leaf. I think they were Anna's hummingbirds, which are very common around here. But being so close to such a cutie was great!
Lisa
Lisa
Patty in Wisc
05-14-2010, 12:06 AM
Thanks for sharing, Lisa, though I wish you had a photo to share! ;)
I have plenty of humming birds around here but have never seen one around my bananas. Maybe I need a balcony??? :ha:
You need a hummingbird feeder :)
harveyc
05-14-2010, 01:06 AM
You need a hummingbird feeder :)
Why do I need a hummingbird feeder. As I said, I already have plenty around. They visit other plants and flowers but I've just never seen one around the bananas.
stumpy4700
05-14-2010, 02:55 AM
Do they migrate in the colder weather? I only see them in the spring and summer.
harveyc
05-14-2010, 03:48 AM
I believe they do in some areas but we have one or two that stick around in the winter. I think they've been the same ones for quite some time (5 years+?) since I have seen them on the same perches and I've wondered what sort of lifespan they have. I think they must feed off of some weed and eucalyptus flowers.
sunfish
05-14-2010, 07:32 AM
YouTube - Humming birds - David Attenborough - BBC wildlife (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujN4osRD22E)
lkstapleton
05-14-2010, 08:46 AM
Yes, I remember reading that Anna's hummingbirds used to be mostly migratory, but in many places in California, some of them now remain year round.
Best regards,
Lisa
Scuba_Dave
05-14-2010, 09:08 AM
I have hummingbirds every year
I have planted a bunch of flowers for them
But the one they like the most is red Monarda...so I have let it spread & moved it around to different areas
I've had as many as 8 buzzing around the yard at once
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/DIYChatroom/Yard%20and%20Plants/Hummer2.jpg
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/DIYChatroom/Yard%20and%20Plants/Hummer6.jpg
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/DIYChatroom/Yard%20and%20Plants/Hummer7.jpg
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/DIYChatroom/Yard%20and%20Plants/DSC00104.jpg
Bananaman88
05-14-2010, 09:09 AM
The hummingbirds always come to the flowers on my bananas. They seem to love the nectar.
Abnshrek
05-14-2010, 04:23 PM
Well I had to fill up my feeder after looking thru this thread :^)
lkstapleton
05-14-2010, 05:01 PM
I am always a little worried about possibly having the sugar water ferment or maybe transmitting a disease, so I usually just plant lots of stuff they like.
I had never seen one drink from a banana leaf or take a bath on one, though. This was a first, at least for me.
I hope he comes back when I water tomorrow.
Lisa
LilRaverBoi
05-14-2010, 09:33 PM
Great story, thanks for sharing! Last summer I had one find my Siam Ruby. Apparently he saw the red and expected to get a snack out of the deal....he was sadly disappointed and moved along. Pretty amusing, though! :ha:
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