Birds and blooms june july 2015 by Saskia

ANNUAL HUMMINGBIRD ISSUE

Beauty in Your Own Backyard

BRING ’em ON! How to have your best hummingbird season ever

photo quiz

PUT YOUR FLOWER ID SKILLS TO THE TEST

A BUCKET LIST FOR HUMMINGBIRD LOVERS How many have you crossed oﬀ so far?

INNOVATIVE WAYS TO MAKE OVER YOUR GARDEN

Ruby-throated hummingbird

THE BIRD & GARDEN MAGAZINE IN AMERICA JUNE I JULY 2015 $3.99 I $4.99

WorldMags.net contents BIRDS & BLOOMS JUNE I JULY 2015

FEATURES

20 A Bucket List for Hummingbird Lovers We put together a list of things every hummingbird fan should experience. How many can you cross off?

26 A Dozen Ways to Dazzle You can give your garden a makeover this summer with our easy ideas.

30 The Perfect Shot These amazing hummingbird photographers share their best secrets for getting stunning photos.

new hidden object! You read that right: We have a new hidden object for this issue. So, before you start looking for the acorn, turn to page 64 to learn more.

get these photographersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best tips

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4 FROM THE EDITOR 64 FOR THE READER DEPARTMENTS

5 BACKYARD INSPIRATION Use these ideas to make the most out of summer.

6 FEEDER TALK Attract more hummingbirds this year by learning sugar-water basics.

8 YARD SMARTS Certify your backyard as a Garden for Wildlife with the National Wildlife Federation.

10 TRAVEL Stop and smell the roses at gardens around the country.

12 STUFF WE LOVE Take a look at these adorable and one-of-a-kind products inspired by hummingbirds.

14 TOP 10 Plant these easy vines to attract hummingbirds.

39 GLAD YOU ASKED Our experts answer bird and garden questions.

46 WINDOW TO WILDLIFE Do hummingbirds sing? You might be surprised!

49 BIRD TALES Readers share fun hummingbird photos and stories.

20 55 FROM YOUR BACKYARD Test your skills with our Name That Flower! quiz.

62 GARDEN DIY Recycle old plastic pots into stylish new planters.

67 DID YOU KNOW? Discover littleknown facts about the ladybug.

p. 8 p. 60 p. 20 p. 26

Perky-Pet has a brand-new sugar-water feeder PERKY on the market called HAS A N-PET the Hummerbar. This FEEDEREW ! revolutionary feeder is unique because it has 44 feeding ports, allowing you to host dozens of visitors at a time. As a Birds & Blooms reader, you could win one of 10 prize packages, which includes feeders, nectar and cleaning mops, valued at $69.50. Sign up to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests.

look for us on

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FRONT COVER: ROLF NUSSBAUMER/ROLFNP.COM; BACK COVER: BILL LEAMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

from the WorldMags.net

editor

We are on a mission here at Birds & Blooms to launch a new field editor program. This concept has been part of our DNA for years. It’s our way of staying connected to readers—birders and gardeners just like you. And right now, we’re looking for new recruits! These volunteers help our entire magazine team by answering questions, offering opinions and keeping us informed about backyard topics. While it doesn’t pay, it’s still a really fun gig because you get to connect with other birders and gardeners around the country. Just take a look at some of the lovely field editors you could meet, below. Joining our program is actually pretty simple. You don’t have to be an expert or pro in any way. You just have to like birds and blooms, plus be willing to share your tips and ideas with others. You will also need a Facebook account. This is how we’ll be running our field editor program—through a private group online. It will allow us to communicate with those in the program quickly and efficiently. Does this sound like something you’d be interested in signing up for? If so, then we want to hear from you. We have a simple application process we’re asking all field editor prospects to go through. To learn more, visit birdsandblooms.com/fieldeditors. Even if you don’t apply to be a field editor, please continue submitting your material to us at birdsandblooms.com/submityour-story. Also, if you have any questions about the process, just email me at stacy@birdsandblooms.com. I’d love to chat with some of our new recruits.

Stacy Tornio

EDITORIAL EDITOR Stacy Tornio ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sharon K. Nelson SENIOR EDITOR Kirsten Sweet ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kaitlin Stainbrook EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Dena Ahlers LAYOUT DESIGNERS Kristina Rolander, Jill Banks BIRDING EXPERTS Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman HORTICULTURE EXPERT Melinda Myers CONTRIBUTING EDITORS David Shaw, Sheryl DeVore EDITORIAL BUSINESS MANAGER Kristy Martin EDITORIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATE Samantha Lea Stoeger EDITORIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR Marie Brannon SENIOR MANAGER, CONTENT MARKETING Melanie O’Brien CONTENT PRODUCER Colleen Ludovice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Collier EDITORIAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Kerri Balliet

BUSINESS VICE PRESIDENT, GROUP PUBLISHER Russell S. Ellis ADVERTISING EDITORIAL SALES Wendy Lay wendy.lay@rd.com DISPLAY SALES Catherine Marcussen, Matt Avery, John Dyckman, Ray Rienecker, Greg Messina, Alexis Aliquo alexis.aliquo@rd.com DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING Media People, Eric Genova egenova@mediapeople.com TRAVEL Northeast and Southeast: Alana Llewellyn, alana@mandelmediagroup.com Midwest and Southwest: Jerry Greco, jerry@jerrygreco.com; Susan Tauster, susant@taustermedia.com West: Bob Flahive, robert.ﬂahive@ﬂahive.com MARKETING DIRECTOR Christina Masterson ART DIRECTOR Ed Jackson MARKETING COORDINATOR Amanda Gottlieb DIRECTOR, NORTH AMERICA MAGAZINE PRODUCTION Patricia Nolan SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER Kristine Jacobson PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Chelsea Schlicht THE READER’S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC.

Connie Etter MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA

Karl Seckinger TWO HARBORS, MINNESOTA

Sue Cassidy HUGHESVILLE, MARYLAND

4 Birds & Blooms

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Bonnie Kintzer VP, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA Howard Halligan CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Richard Sutton CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Leslie Dukker Doty VP, CONTENT MARKETING & OPERATIONS Diane Dragan SVP, GLOBAL HR & COMMUNICATIONS Phyllis E. Gebhardt, SPHR VP, BRAND MARKETING Beth Gorry VP, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Aneel Tejwaney VP, CONSUMER MARKETING PLANNING Jim Woods

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WorldMags.net backyard inspiration Your monthly motivation to get outside.

Black-chinned hummingbird

july’s to-dos!

ROLF NUSSBAUMER/ROLFNP.COM

DID YOU KNOW? Some cacti don’t bloom until they reach a mature 20 years of age or older.

BOOK A HUMMINGBIRD TRIP Make the Sedona Hummingbird Festival in Sedona, Arizona your summer vacation. The annual festival, organized by The Hummingbird Society, will take place July 31-Aug. 2, but make those reservations as early as possible. Birds & Blooms is an official sponsor this year. Learn more about the event speakers and activities at hummingbirdsociety.org. CREATE CONTAINER RECIPES The containers at local garden centers are usually big, gorgeous

june I july 2015

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and expensive. Use them as inspiration to create your own “recipe” for the perfect container. Chances are you already have a pot you can use, so you’ll be saving money all around. ADD A HOST PLANT Monarch caterpillars use milkweed as a host plant, but this is just one example. Research other native host plants for the butterflies in your area, and add at least one species to your garden this year. For example, dill and parsley are good for some swallowtails, and violets host many fritillaries.

Birds & Blooms 5

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BACKYARD TIP Add another sugar-water feeder in late summer when migration increases. This will help keep feisty males from fighting for space.

6 Birds & Blooms

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WorldMags.net feeder talk

Sugar Water 101 Make this the year you attract hummingbirds (or increase their traffic) in your yard. The Recipe

The Red Dye Debate

READER ADVICE

If you haven’t memorized the recipe yet, then now is the time. Combine four parts hot water to one part sugar. Mix it up until it’s completely dissolved. Once it cools to room temperature, it’s ready.

Even though every bird authority around the country seems to agree that you don’t need red dye, people still add it to their sugar water. You also see companies offering premade sugar water that is red. If this is you, don’t feel bad—but it’s time to break this habit once and for all. You don’t need red water to attract hummingbirds. In fact, it could be bad for the birds (scientists are still ﬁguring this one out). Either way, it’s not worth the risk.

Need clever tips for cleaning the nooks and crannies of your sugar-water feeders? Our readers can help.

To Boil or Not to Boil Using really hot water will usually sufﬁce. However, if you plan on making extra sugar water to store in the fridge or you have so-so water quality, then it’s best to boil. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT; STEVE AND DAVE MASLOWSKI; PERLPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; RDA-GID

Rufous hummingbird

Honey Do or Honey Don’t? Some people like to come up with creative ways to sweeten their sugar water without sugar, and the most common stand-in is honey. Not only is honey a bad idea in general, but it can also make your sugar-water mixture ferment more quickly. Skip the honey, and stick to sugar.

The Important Extras Sugar water eventually goes bad, unless you’re lucky enough to have a busy feeder that the hummingbirds quickly empty. You should be in the habit of changing it every few days or even sooner if it’s really hot out. Also, don’t forget to clean your feeders occasionally. Mold can collect, so you want to make sure you’re offering hummingbirds clean, safe water.

DID YOU KNOW? It’s always best to stick with real sugar in your mix. Say no to sugar substitutes.

I rinse my feeders with vinegar, and they stay clean. I rinse them every time I change the food. It’s so easy and works well. Mattie Stillwell TENAHA, TEXAS

I keep a box of parakeet gravel on hand to clean my feeders. Put a couple teaspoons in the feeder with warm water, then swirl and rise. It cleans the toughest mold. Sally Brovold KULM, NORTH DAKOTA

I don’t mind cleaning my hummingbird feeders except for all those little yellow bee guards. I found an easy way to do it, though. Take any juice bottle that has a wide opening and add 3 cups of water along with 1/8 cup of bleach. Add the bee guards, replace the cap and shake. Then let it sit for ﬁve minutes and shake again. Once you take them out and rinse them well, you’ll have clean bee guards. Marija Domijan ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

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Birds & Blooms 7

yardWorldMags.net smarts

Gardening for Wildlife The Certiﬁed Wildlife Habitat program from the National Wildlife Federation has a new name: Garden for Wildlife. The program’s mission is the same—providing food, water, shelter and places to raise young for birds and wildlife. See how you can get involved. BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITAT This is the classic backyard program that started it all more than 40 years ago. In 2005, the name changed to Certiﬁed Wildlife Habitat program. Now the name is Garden for Wildlife. SCHOOLYARD HABITAT Started in 1996, this program was created for the growing number of schools planting on-site gardens. It has the same requirements as the

Program Basics 1. Provide food. Bird feeders and plants both work well.

2. Supply water. A pond is great, but a birdbath is fine, too.

3. Create cover. Plant trees and shrubs with wildlife in mind.

8 Birds & Blooms

main program, and it’s a great way to do something unique for your local school. COMMUNITY HABITAT The newest program, added in 1997, is the community certiﬁcation program, targeting communities, towns and neighborhoods. The National Wildlife Federation wants people to know they can create wildlife-friendly spaces anywhere.

4. Give wildlife places to raise their young, like birdhouses.

5. Supply a healthy habitat, and garden in a sustainable way. This means getting rid of pesticides. Join the Garden for Wildlife movement at nwf.org/garden.

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Plants for hummingbirds Try some of these plants to attract more flying jewels to your backyard this summer. Firebush Monkey flower Penstemon Snowberry Autumn sage Milkweed Cardinal flower Bee balm

Fuchsia Columbine Red hot poker Salvia Flowering tobacco Catmint Coral bells

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Stop and Smell the Roses

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Soak in the radiance of these iconic blooms at popular public gardens.

1. WASHINGTON PARK’S INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDEN Portland, Oregon One of six testing sites for the American Rose Society’s miniature roses, this garden also tests many other rose varieties for beauty, durability and growing ease. Free tours are held daily at 1 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. portlandoregon .gov/parks

Tyler Municipal Rose Garden

2. MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROSE GARDEN Mesa, Arizona Take a self-guided tour and enjoy this garden’s 9,000 rose bushes. The Veteran’s Rose Garden section alone has more than 60 rose varieties and every rose bed has a phone number you can call for more information about each one. rosegarden.mesa cc.edu

3. TYLER MUNICIPAL ROSE GARDEN Tyler, Texas This city is called the rose capital of the world for a reason: Its large rose garden boasts over 40,000 flowers. This year, the garden will host its annual Texas Rose Festival Oct. 15-18. Watch a parade of floats made with roses and tour fields, nurseries and municipal gardens with roses in full bloom. visittyler.com/ tylerrosegarden

Elizabeth Park Heritage Rose Garden 4. GARDENS OF THE AMERICAN ROSE CENTER Shreveport, Louisiana At the national headquarters of the American Rose Society, you’ll find more than 65 individual rose gardens across 118 acres, including a memorial prayer garden, fountains and sculptures. rose.org/our-gardens

5. ELIZABETH PARK HERITAGE ROSE GARDEN West Hartford, Connecticut Get a history lesson at the Heritage Rose Garden when you explore their diverse array of old rose varieties, some of which have been grown since 1867. Head back to the park’s main garden to check out modernday specialties like climbers and David Austin roses. elizabethparkct.org

Go on a Tour of Tournament House

Tournament House

10 Birds & Blooms

Get excited about the annual Tournament of Roses Parade, held Jan. 1, by touring headquarters in Pasadena, California. Some 1,500 varieties of roses grow outside a 22-room mansion, once owned by the famous Wrigley family. Free tours are held at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 27. Visit tournamentofroses.com for more info.

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ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE; TYLER CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, ELIZABETH PARK HERITAGE ROSE GARDEN BELOW, LEFT: COURTESY OF THE PASADENA TOURNAMENT OF ROSES®

Mesa Community College Rose Garden

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3 1 Hummingbird socks, $9, modsock.com

2 Hummingbird shirt, $26, eighthgeneration.com (design is also available as a throw, pillowcase, etc.)

3 Gold-dipped hummingbird necklace, $58, dogeared.com

4 Kitchen towels in multiple colors, starting at $9 each, etsy.com/shop/cujicoo

5 Michel Design Works bubble bath, $17, ferriswheelsandcarousels .com (design is also available as a candle, apron, soap dish, scarf, etc.)

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6 I y Hummingbirds design, available as a T-shirt, mug, tote bag and more, birdsandblooms.com/shop

want more? Look for us on Pinterest, where we share our favorite products, from bird feeders and gardening tools to jewelry and home decor. Visit pinterest.com/birdsblooms. 12 Birds & Blooms Extra

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TOP

vines for hummingbirds Attract hummers from the ground up with a few of their favorite blooming climbers. BY MELINDA MYERS

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TOP 10

1 TRUMPET HONEYSUCKLE 2 MANDEVILLA 3 CUP AND SAUCER VINE 4 CANARY CREEPER 5 SCARLET RUNNER BEAN 6 CANDY CORN PLANT 7 FIGWORT 8 PURPLE PASSIONFLOWER 9 TRUMPET VINE 10 HYACINTH BEAN VINE

If you want to grow vines, you might think you need a lot of space, but even if your planting area is limited, it’s still possible to cultivate vines in containers on your patio, deck or balcony. But no matter where you decide to plant these vines—in containers or right in the garden—place them where you’ll be able to enjoy the hummingbirds that will no doubt visit the nectar-ﬁlled blooms.

Trumpet honeysuckle LONICERA SEMPERVIRENS, ZONES 4 TO 9

1: SHSPHOTOGRAPHY/ISTOCK.COM; 3: REDA &CO SRL/ALAMY

Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees love native honeysuckle. Planting it in full sun or partial shade and moist soil will encourage the best flowering. The orangered, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in clusters amongst the blue-green leaves, which persist through winter in southern states. Why we love it: Unlike a lot of other plants, trumpet honeysuckle grows in clay soil and near black walnut trees.

Mandevilla MANDEVILLA, ANNUAL, PERENNIAL IN ZONES 10 TO 11

A drought-tolerant vine that can be grown in a container, hanging basket or right in the garden, mandevilla thrives in full sun to part shade and welldrained soil. You’ll ﬁnd many new cultivars with white, pink, maroon, crimson and bicolor ﬂowers. Why we love it: You can overwinter mandevilla indoors in a warm, sunny location.

Cup and saucer vine COBAEA SCANDENS, ANNUAL, PERENNIAL IN ZONES 9 TO 11

A vigorous grower, give this vine a sturdy support to climb and display its cup-shaped, aromatic ﬂowers. The blooms open green and then mature to purple, lasting about four days. Grow in full sun and provide a bit of afternoon shade in hotter regions. Why we love it: The ﬂowers have a sweet musky fragrance and are reportedly pollinated by bats.

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Birds & Blooms 15

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Scarlet runner bean PHASEOLUS COCCINEUS, ANNUAL

Canary creeper TROPAEOLUM PEREGRINUM, ANNUAL, PERENNIAL IN ZONES 9 TO 10

Grow scarlet runner bean, a hummingbird favorite, in a sunny spot in your vegetable or ﬂower garden. You can grow these long vines on a trellis, arbor or fence. Regular harvesting will keep the plant producing more pods and its scarlet ﬂowers blossoming. Why we love it: The red blooms will brighten the landscape and lure hummingbirds. Plus, the edible beans will amp up your veggie options.

Candy corn plant Figwort

MANETTIA LUTEORUBRA, ANNUAL, PERENNIAL IN ZONES 10 TO 11

ASARINA SCANDENS, ANNUAL, PERENNIAL IN ZONES 9 TO 10

This noncaloric candy corn is fun for gardeners of all ages. The orange tubular ﬂowers are tipped in yellow, making them look like the Halloween treat. Grow it in full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Why we love it: When the outdoor weather is too harsh, the candy corn plant can be grown indoors as a houseplant.

Brighten the summer and fall garden with the indigo, violet, pink or white flowers of figwort. Grow it in full sun to part shade on a trellis or allow the stems to spill over the edge of a hanging basket. Why we love it: The flowers resemble snapdragons, which is why figwort is occasionally referred to as climbing snapdragon.

16 Birds & Blooms

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4: HUGH WELFORD/ALAMY; 6: BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY; 7: STEFFEN HAUSER/BOTANIKFOTO/ALAMY

Take a close look at the bright yellow ﬂowers and you’ll see the inspiration for the common name. Grow this climbing nasturtium in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil. Allow it to scramble through other plants, train it on a trellis or grow it in a hanging basket. Why we love it: The sunny yellow ﬂowers are super showy and fragrant.

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Premarin (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, have or had cancer, had a stroke or heart attack, have or had blood clots or liver problems, have a bleeding disorder, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant. Estrogens increase the risk of gallbladder disease. Discontinue estrogen if loss of vision, pancreatitis, or liver problems occur. If you take thyroid medication, consult your healthcare provider, as use of estrogens may change the amount needed. Common side effects include headache, pelvic pain, breast pain, vaginal bleeding and vaginitis. INDICATION Premarin (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream is used after menopause to treat menopausal changes in and around the vagina and to treat moderate to severe painful intercourse caused by these changes. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Product Information on the next page.

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IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT PREMARIN® VAGINAL CREAM PREMARIN Vaginal Cream is a medicine that contains a mixture of estrogen hormones. PREMARIN Vaginal Cream is used to treat menopausal changes in and around the vagina and painful intercourse caused by these changes. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with PREMARIN Vaginal Cream.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about PREMARIN Vaginal Cream (an estrogen mixture)? • Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using PREMARIN Vaginal Cream. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find the cause. • Do not use estrogen-alone or estrogens with progestin to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia (decline in brain function). • Using estrogen-alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots. • Using estrogen with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots. • Using estrogen-alone or combined with progestin may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women age 65 years or older. • You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with PREMARIN Vaginal Cream.

DO NOT START USING PREMARIN VAGINAL CREAM IF YOU: • Have unusual vaginal bleeding • Currently have or have had certain cancers Estrogens may increase the chance of getting certain types of cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus. If you have or have had cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should use PREMARIN Vaginal Cream. • Had a stroke or heart attack • Currently have or have had blood clots • Currently have or have had liver problems • Are allergic to PREMARIN Vaginal Cream or any of its ingredients • Think you may be pregnant Tell your healthcare provider: • If you have any unusual vaginal bleeding • About all your medical problems • About all the medicines you take • If you are going to have surgery or will be on bedrest • If you are breast-feeding

(prem-uh-rin)

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF PREMARIN VAGINAL CREAM PREMARIN Vaginal Cream is only used in and around the vagina; however, the risks associated with oral estrogens should be taken into account. Serious, but less common side effects include: • Heart attack • Stroke • Blood clots • Dementia • Breast cancer • Cancer of the uterus • Ovarian cancer • High blood pressure • High blood sugar • Gallbladder disease • Liver problems • Enlargement of benign tumors • Severe allergic reaction Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following warning signs, or any other unusual symptoms that concern you: • New breast lumps • Unusual vaginal bleeding • Changes in speech or vision • Severe headaches • Severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue • Swollen lips, tongue or face Less serious, but common, side effects include: • Headache • Breast pain • Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting • Stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating • Nausea and vomiting • Hair loss • Fluid retention • Vaginal yeast infection • Reactions from inserting PREMARIN Vaginal Cream, such as vaginal burning, irritation, and itching These are not all the possible side effects of PREMARIN Vaginal Cream. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Pfizer Inc at 1-800-438-1985 or to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

HOW TO USE PREMARIN VAGINAL CREAM PREMARIN Vaginal Cream is a cream that you place in your vagina with the applicator provided with the cream. • Take the dose recommended by your healthcare provider and talk to him or her about how well that dose is working for you. • You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly (for example, every 3 to 6 months) about the dose you are taking and whether you still need treatment with PREMARIN Vaginal Cream. 1. Remove cap from tube. 2. Screw nozzle end of applicator onto tube. 3. Gently squeeze tube from the bottom to force sufficient cream into the barrel to provide the prescribed dose. Use the marked stopping points on the applicator to measure the correct dose, as prescribed by your healthcare provider. 4. Unscrew applicator from tube. 5. Lie on back with knees drawn up. To deliver medication, gently insert applicator deeply into vagina and press plunger downward to its original position. 6. To cleanse: Pull plunger to remove it from barrel. Wash with mild soap and warm water. Do not boil or use hot water.

NEED MORE INFORMATION? • This information does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your menopausal symptoms and their treatment. • Go to www.premarinvaginalcream.com • Call 1-888-9-PREMARIN (1-888-977-3627). Uninsured? Need help paying for Pfizer medicine? Pfizer has programs that can help. Call 1-866-706-2400 or visit www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.

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Rx Only

WorldMags.net Purple passionflower PASSIFLORA INCARNATA, ZONES 5 TO 9

Its unique ﬂowers make this vine a standout in a sunny spot in the garden or a container. You can even overwinter it as a houseplant. Also called maypop, this quick-spreading plan may need a bit of taming. Avoid using other species invasive to your area. Why we love it: It’s native to the southeast U.S. and also attracts butterﬂies.

Trumpet vine CAMPSIS RADICANS, ZONES 4 TO 9

This is the most classic and well-known hummingbird vine. Native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, trumpet vine thrives in full sun and poor soils. Avoid excess fertilizer because it can prevent flowering. Plant it in confined areas or mow suckers to keep it in check. It’s important to note that it can be weedy or invasive in some southeastern states. Why we love it: The orange-red trumpet flowers are a hummingbird favorite.

3 tips for selecting proper vine supports 8: TKEMOT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; 9: TOM UHLMAN/ALAMY; 10: REX MAY/ALAMY

Always choose structures that can handle the vine’s weight and means of attachment.

• Twining and weaving vines need supports with • •

wire frames or narrow legs and crossbars. Clinging vines require rough surfaces for rootlets and holdfasts to attach and support them. Many vines call for a guiding hand. Weave stems through and around the support and, if needed, attach plants with twine or soft twist ties.

Hyacinth bean vine DOLICHOS LABLAB, ANNUAL, PERENNIAL ZONES 10 TO 11

This purple beauty will quickly cover a trellis or fence and its green leaves, white, pink or purple-pink ﬂowers and purple pods provide season-long color. Grow hyacinth bean in full sun to partial shade. Despite being an annual, it will often reseed in the garden. Why we love it: The fragrant blooms are a treat for the senses. Plus, once it’s established, this plant is drought-tolerant. june I july 2015

Melinda Myers is the horticulture expert for Birds & Blooms. She always places containers full of hummingbird favorites near her windows. Go online for a list of 10 award-winning plants for hummingbirds. Visit birdsandblooms.com/ awardwinningflowers.

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Birds & Blooms 19

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MOMO64/ISTOCK.COM

A Bucket List for

20 Birds & Blooms

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These 10 activities, some silly and some seriously cool, are ones every hummingbird enthusiast should experience. WorldMags.net

Birds & Blooms 21

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Take a hummingbird vacation. Southwestern states like Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas offer the largest concentration of hummingbirds and a diverse range of hummingbird species. Destinations like Ramsey Canyon Preserve in Arizona or Davis Mountains State Park in Texas are especially known for plentiful and rare hummingbird sightings. But if such destinations are too far aﬁeld for you, take a day trip to a botanical garden that has plenty of sugar-water feeders. You’ll see hummingbirds by the dozen, especially during fall migration.

Attend a hummingbird festival. Hummingbird people are good people, and there’s no better place to meet those kindred spirits than at a hummingbird festival. You can ﬁnd these events

all over the country. The festivals usually take place July through September and are concentrated in areas that experience abundant migration activity. The Rockport-Fulton HummerBird Celebration in Texas and the Sedona Hummingbird Festival in Arizona are two of the best ones.

Start a hummingbird journal. Here’s an activity you can do without leaving home. Keep a journal of the hummingbird activity in your yard. Note when the ﬁrst hummingbird arrives in spring and when the ﬁnal one departs in fall. How many visit your feeders? How does their activity shift during the day? Notice changing factors like weather or feeder placement, and write down those funny hummingbird stories, too!

Davis Mountains State Park in Texas (pictured here) is known for hosting many species of hummingbirds.

22 Birds & Blooms

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BOTTOM: DAVIS MOUNTAINS STATE PARK; RIGHT: BILL LEAMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

I was lucky enough to take a trip to southeastern Arizona where every destination, hike and tour focused on hummingbirds. My fellow travelers and I walked around starry-eyed, clutching cameras and scribbling ﬁeld notes as we watched the tree branches and feeders. And we weren’t disappointed; hummingbirds were everywhere. All told, I spotted 13 different species on that trip, including several rarities. The experience stuck with me, and made me realize that although watching hummingbirds at backyard sugar-water feeders is pretty wonderful, there are a lot of other ways to indulge that interest. This list of 10 hummingbird activities is a good place to start. What are you waiting for?

WorldMags.net Find a nesting hummingbird. Hummingbirds usually build their intricately engineered nests on tree branches, but sometimes the birds select more visible and unorthodox nesting spots like plant hooks, chandelier-style light ďŹ xtures or electrical wires. Any horizontal surface under a protective roof will usually do, though nests can be really hard to ďŹ nd. Gather up your hummingbird-loving friends, and set out on the search.

Ruby-throated hummingbird, sitting on her nest

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Birds & Blooms 23

WorldMags.net Hand-feed a hummingbird. Imagine the thrill of having a tiny hummingbird, which typically weighs 0.1 to 0.2 ounces (less than a marshmallow), alight on your palm. Give handfeeding a whirl during nesting season or before migration, when the birds are expending a lot of energy and eating a lot of food. Spend time near your feeders, so the birds become accustomed to your presence. Then, cover all feeders but one, and hold that remaining feeder in your lap. Not every attempt will be successful, but be patient and keep trying.

Help band hummingbirds. Researchers have been banding birds to gather information about migration, lifespan and population since 1920 as part of the North American Bird Banding Program. Hummingbird banding is an extremely specialized activity, with hummingbirds making up less than 1 percent of the birds banded. The banders themselves are an elite group, and hold special permits. Participate in the process by volunteering at banding events, which take place at hummingbird festivals, or during migration periods along key ﬂyways.

Recognize hummingbird calls. Experienced birders don’t need binoculars to identify birds. They use their ears instead, and usually know a particular bird is nearby well before they spot it. Hummingbirds, though not known for their songs, still make a series of distinct calls. Become attuned to these sounds by ﬁnding recordings at websites like allaboutbirds.org to learn the calls of different hummingbirds and what they mean.

Share your hummingbird passion with others. Thinking back to that Arizona hummingbird trip, one of its most enjoyable aspects was the shared experience. That sharing can happen on a trip, at a festival, on your front porch or at places like local schools and senior centers. Look for teaching or volunteering opportunities in your community to pass along what you love about hummingbirds. That’s one experience that will surely make your life richer.

With a little patience, you can learn to feed a hummingbird by hand.

24 Birds & Blooms

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Heather Lamb still has a long way to go on her own hummingbird bucket list. She writes, watches birds and teaches magazine journalism in Columbia, Missouri.

This hummingbird is being measured for banding.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ETSY.COM/LISTING/212668505/TEMPORARY-TATTOO-HUMMINGBIRD-PINE-TREE; RDA-MKE; LISA SZCZYGIEL-DURANTE; MARGY TERPSTRA/HUMMER HAVEN UNLIMITED

Get a hummingbird tattoo. Real or temporary, a tattoo is a whimsical—or really devoted—way to acknowledge your love of hummingbirds. Smack that piece of dampened paper to your skin (or visit a reputable tattoo artist), and smile.

WorldMags.net Make a DIY hummingbird feeder. Creating your own sugarwater feeder is incredibly simple, and if you’re crafty, you’ve probably already built one or maybe a dozen! For the rest of us, check out sites like Pinterest (or hey, birdsandblooms.com) for innumerable ideas. My favorite DIY sugar-water feeders are the ones made from a pretty glass bottle, a stopper and a tube. You can buy the stopper and feeder tube attachments online; just search for “hummingbird feeder tube” to get started. ■

Find out how to make this recycled bottle feeder at birdsandblooms.com/ diyhummingbird.

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Birds & Blooms 25

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a dozen ways to

26 Birds & Blooms

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MITCH DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES

Find ďŹ&#x201A;owers with interesting shapes (like these alliums) to make a statement in your garden.

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dazzle Take your garden to the next level and make a huge impact with these easy ideas. By Rachael Liska

Each garden, like the person who planted it, has its own personality. Wild. Romantic. Eccentric. Classy. But the one thing a garden shouldn’t be known for is having a wallﬂower personality. Garner your garden the attention it deserves with these 12 tips and tricks.

1. Love the “Less is More” Rule. It doesn’t take much to make a statement, especially in a small garden. A single specimen tree, a brightly painted obelisk, a piece of stone sculpture—set out simple touches like these in highly visible or hightrafﬁc areas.

2. Embrace Shapes. Formally sculpted evergreens, the spiky fronds of a yucca or the striking ball of blooms atop an allium are good examples of how shapes can create intriguing focal points. Plant in groupings to make a statement or plot out points around the garden to help visually lead an observer’s eye through the space. 3. Wow with Water. There’s something about the sound and appearance of water that speak to the human soul. Whether it’s a quiet corner pond teeming with koi or a bubbling stone fountain among the roses, water is a strong element that can’t be overlooked. For the biggest splash, opt for ﬂowing water, like waterfalls and streams. If space or budget is an issue, try smaller items like rain chains or a tabletop waterfall.

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Birds & Blooms 27

Repurpose a fountain into a bold planter.

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4. Master the Art of Unpredictability. Every corner of your garden is an opportunity to show off your unique sense of style. A wall of planted garden boots or teakettles will stop passersby in their tracks. Try grouping quirky collectibles together. Adorn a single tree with pretty beads and ornaments, hang a salvaged chandelier from a rustic arched arbor, or make a wine bottle tree.

5. Learn to Accessorize. Instead of smaller elements competing for a viewer’s attention, use the right garden accessories to spin harmony out of havoc. It’s easy to achieve garden unity with structural elements, like large urns or gazing balls. (Here’s your chance to go really big!) Try spacing identical pieces along a pathway or placing them in low-growing beds.

6. Catch a Drift. Planting in drifts, or swaths of colors or textures, is easier said than done. It requires dedicating large areas to one kind of plant, but the attention-grabbing effect it can have on your garden is worth the work. Mass planting works well alongside pathways and garden bed borders. Good plant candidates include Russian sage, purple coneﬂower, Moonbeam coreopsis, Autumn Joy sedum, coral-bells and ornamental grasses.

7. Offer a Seat. A garden is lovely to look upon, but adding a bench invites visitors to sit down and soak in its beauty. A small seating area ﬁtted with

28 Birds & Blooms

a couple chairs and a bistro table is all you need to create an outdoor room. Set the space apart from its surroundings with a ﬂoor made from pavement, crushed stone or manicured grass. Go a step further by creating living walls with a few large shrubs.

8. Go Big. Plant a few “garden peacocks”—plants with showy blooms or larger-than-life foliage—and get ready for the “oohs” and “aahs.” Best bets? Delphinium for its gorgeous spikes of bountiful blossoms, canna for its bright blooms and tropicallike foliage, hydrangea for its impressive size, and blue hosta for its cool-hued leaves.

9. Create Layers. Like a good outﬁt, layering builds interest, but it’s important to mix textures and keep the color scheme harmonious. If you’re not sure where to start, try planting a screen of dark evergreens, ornamental grass or dense shrubbery of the same variety. In front of that, add a row of plants with contrasting textures that require the same growing conditions. A low-growing bloomer— carpet roses, Walker’s Low catmint or dianthus— along the outside border ﬁnishes the look.

10. Take a Walk. Give your garden room to breathe by incorporating a bit of green space. Wide pathways, grassy courtyards, natural meadows and labyrinths generate an open-air feel. Plus, showier plants really shine when edging an unassuming strip of space.

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birdsandblooms.com

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: TURNER PHOTOGRAPHICS (3), 1: JANE PALMER & WARREN DILLON, BELLINGHAM, WA; 2: ADA DAVIDSON, SEWICKLEY, PA; 3. MARY CARSON, COEUR D’ALENE, ID; JUDYWHITE/GARDENPHOTOS.COM

Seating creates a welcoming space.

Water always livens up the backyard.

WorldMags.net Color Choices Warm colors— reds, oranges and yellows—are easy to view from a distance. Blues, violets and pinks are best for gardens enjoyed close up.

11. Be Bold with Containers. Magically make over any space with containers and the miniature gardens they hold. Think oversized— urns, tall stainless steel planters and upcycled wheelbarrows. Think colorful—glazed ceramic beauties in cobalt blue, sunset orange and lemon yellow ﬁnishes. Think dramatic—plants like red cordyline, angel’s trumpet, hibiscus or ﬂowering kale. How you display your container creations can be even more impactful than what is inside them. Secure your containers to a wall, hang them from a fence or stack them on a ladder.

12. Light Up the Night. Well-placed lighting accentuates our most attractive attributes, and the same holds true for your garden. There are many options available when it comes to outdoor lighting, from pathway and accent lighting to deck and pond lights. Spotlight landscape features, like trees and plants with interesting foliage, and your garden will look as dapper in the dark as it does in the daytime. ■

Rachael Liska is a freelance writer from Wisconsin. She plans to put her words to work and uplift her landscape with highimpact lighting. june I july 2015

Plant in large patches to really turn heads.

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Birds & Blooms 29

WorldMags.net THE

perfect SHOT

TIM FITZHARRIS

Fast and ďŹ&#x201A;ighty hummingbirds can be tricky to spot, let alone capture in a faultless photo. We invited some of our favorite photographers to share their incredible photographs and their best advice for budding and veteran shutterbugs alike. By Kaitlin Stainbrook

30 Birds & Blooms

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Give Yourself Options Set your camera to its fastest motor drive speed and focus manually. Then, shoot hundreds of photos and pick the best ones in postproduction. There’s no need for complicated ﬂash setups. For natural results, shoot on overcast days and set your ISO speed at 1000 to 2000, which allows the wings to blur like it did here with this male rufous and female black-chinned. —Tim Fitzharris

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Birds & Blooms 31

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Create Perches

THIS PAGE: BUD HENSLEY (3)

Collect dead branches and twigs, and incorporate them into your gardens and containers. The hummingbirds will use them when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re near their favorite food source, and supply you with an abundance of perched and posed opportunities. I took these three photos of ruby-throats (above, right and below) right in my own backyard. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Bud Hensley

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Get the Right Gear Hummingbirds are creatures of habit. Train your camera on a bird’s preferred perch, prefocus and shoot when it returns. A telephoto lens in the 300 mm to 500 mm range will work perfectly, especially one that can focus as close as 10 feet. Shutter speeds under 1/500th of a second or less will blur the bird’s wings and shutter speeds of 1/2500th will freeze them. Wait for the bird to turn its head so you can catch the ﬂashy iridescence in the throat patch, like with this calliope. —Ed Post

THIS PAGE, ABOVE: ED POST; RIGHT: ANDREW TODZIA

Have Patience Give hummingbirds time to get used to your presence before you start snapping away. This process may take a few days or even weeks. Watch your hummingbird visitors and wait for the right picture-taking opportunity. This could mean when they’re perched like this juvenile hummingbird (right). Also, watch them feed. They tend to sip, back off from the feeder or ﬂower, hover brieﬂy, then sip again. Take advantage of their momentary feeding breaks for a photo. —Andrew Todzia

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Birds & Blooms 33

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Look for Photo Ops When it comes to taking pictures of hummingbirds, I’ve found the more natural the setting, the better. Like in this photo of an Anna’s, which I took in my sister’s backyard on the Fourth of July. Her landscaping is designed to attract hummingbirds, and they were really enjoying her Little Readhead crocosmia that day. I try to take advantage of ﬂowers that hummingbirds are attracted to, like bee balm and foxglove. Remember, a great photo opportunity can come from anywhere, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready! —Daniel Ferneding

Know Your Lighting

34 Birds & Blooms

ABOVE: DANIEL FERNEDING; LEFT AND RIGHT: GREGORY BASCO

I’m always looking for a connection between birds and the plants they visit, because it tells the story of pollination, like this male green-crowned brilliant hummingbird posing on an ornamental banana flower (far right). When it’s rainy like this, I use fill flash in order to deal with the low light. In general, it’s good to have technical knowledge of your camera and flash. This will allow you to capture good photos of these little flying jewels. —Gregory Basco

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Birds & Blooms 35

WorldMags.net Keep Exploring

GLENN BARTLEY

One of my favorite techniques for photographing hummingbirds is to catch them in flight, while they’re coming to feeders or flowers. Setting up an outdoor studio with several flashes can lead to some truly spectacular results. It took several hours of perseverance in challenging lighting conditions to get this shot of a red-tailed comet in the Andes Mountains of central Bolivia, but it was well worth the effort! With more than 300 species of hummingbirds in the world, there is no shortage of incredible species to photograph. —Glenn Bartley ■

36 Birds & Blooms

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WorldMags.net glad you asked! Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman answer your birding questions while Melinda Myers tackles gardening.

QA On an early summer evening, I was sitting on the patio and saw a female ruby-throated hummingbird at some coral-bells. A male appeared and they ﬂew together, spiraling into the air about 75 feet! Is this a mating ritual? Jenifer Junkins TORONTO, ALABAMA

AL MUELLER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Kenn and Kimberly: We wish we could say that the male was just being romantic, but it’s more likely that he was trying to chase her away. Male ruby-throats are combative little guys, and when they’ve found a good patch of ﬂowers, they usually respond to others of their kind by trying to chase them away. If the other hummer is a male, they may have a brief ﬁght before one of them leaves. If the intruder is a female, the male may start by chasing and then gradually shift over to something that looks more like courtship displays.

BACKYARD TIP If you have an aggressive hummingbird chasing other birds away, set up a second feeder far from the first one.

june I july 2015

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Birds & Blooms 39

glad you asked!

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I’ve searched my ﬁeld guide and cannot identify this bird and its unique nest that I spotted from my back deck. Can you help me identify it? Janet Holdmann BUTLER, WISCONSIN

Kenn and Kimberly: That’s a fine bird and nest to see from your back deck! It’s a red-eyed vireo, but it might be hard to find in the book because the effects of lighting are changing its appearance in this photo. A lot of light is being reflected onto the bird from the surrounding leaves, making it seem far more yellowish than it really is. We’re identifying it by the shape of the bill and pattern of the face. The nest structure is typical, too. A vireo nest is shaped like a little pouch, suspended from twigs by its edges.

40 Birds & Blooms

DID YOU KNOW? Vireos are known for their songs. They sing short phrases in a robin-like tone.

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I spotted this delicate ďŹ&#x201A;ower that is kind of transparent and a very pretty blue-purple color. What could it be? Kit Warner MULE CREEK, NEW MEXICO Melinda: Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found native larkspur, most likely Delphinium nuttallianum. This particular larkspur is more common in open areas and dry conditions. There are several other very similar delphiniums that are distinguished by their location and more subtle features. As the blue petals pass their peak, they start to fade and develop the transparency youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve captured in this photo.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re selling our house, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m concerned the new owners will not keep the hummingbird feeders ďŹ lled. What will happen? Vincent Staley FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA Kenn and Kimberly: We appreciate your concern, but hummingbirds are adaptable and good at ďŹ nding new places to live. In natural habitats, good concentrations of ďŹ&#x201A;owers may change over time. For example, a meadow ďŹ lled with ďŹ&#x201A;owers one year may be overgrown with shrubs the next. Hummingbirds have to be able to move around and ďŹ nd new food sources. Of course, if you can talk to the new residents of your home, you could try to inspire them with stories about the magic of hummingbirds and tell them the rewards of keeping the feeders ďŹ lled and clean.

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glad you asked!

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BACKYARD TIP If you find a bird’s nest on the ground in a high traffic area, put up a sign or flags to warn others not to disturb it.

Help! I removed a hummingbird vine in 2011, and since then, I’ve had suckers showing up everywhere. I’ve tried everything, including digging them all up. How can I get rid of them for good?

While camping in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, we found this bird, her nest and four spotted eggs on the ground. We tried to protect the nest from other people. What is the bird, and why is it nesting on the ground? Elaine Keiper EAST BANGOR, PENNSYLVANIA Kenn and Kimberly: Thank you for protecting the nest! The bird is a killdeer, a type of shorebird that often lives far away from the shore. Killdeers always nest on ﬂat, open surfaces—usually on the ground, but sometimes on dirt roads or gravel roofs—laying their four eggs in a simple open scrape. It takes more than three weeks for killdeer eggs to hatch, so the female probably laid the eggs earlier in the season before there were so many human visitors around. If danger threatens a killdeer nest, either parent may put on a broken-wing act, ﬂuttering away as if injured, to lure predators away from the nest itself.

42 Birds & Blooms

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Melinda: Though a real hummingbird magnet, the suckering characteristic is a big downside of this vine. Also known as trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), it sends up runners that can be challenging to manage. Continually pruning the shoots to the ground as they appear will eventually starve the plant, but you must remove every one. As you discovered, it can take a lot of time and effort. Another option is you can paint the leaves with a total vegetation killer. If you do, be careful not to touch nearby desirable plants and know that repeat applications will be needed. As always, be sure to read and follow label directions.

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BACKYARD TIP If you find a mystery tree that you want to identify, be sure to take pictures of the leaves, blooms and bark. This will help an expert figure it out.

WorldMags.net

My husband and I can’t decide if this is a juvenile broad-tailed or black-chinned hummingbird. What do you think? Debbie Whiting MIDLAND, TEXAS Kenn and Kimberly: Female and immature hummingbirds are among the most challenging of all birds to identify—even with a great photo like this! We can be sure that this isn’t a black-chinned, because it shows too much of an orange tinge on the sides and near the tail. However we can’t be positive that the bird is a broad-tailed, either. Another possibility is that it might be a young female rufous hummingbird. Rufous hummingbirds are regular migrants through your area of New Mexico, and their “fall” migration begins as early as the end of June, although the young birds are more likely to come through in late July and August. So it could be a juvenile or a female. From this photo, there’s no way of knowing for sure.

DID YOU KNOW? Hummingbirds beat their wings between 50 and 200 times per second.

44 Birds & Blooms

This beautiful tree blooms in early summer in northern Ontario. Can you tell me what it is? Lorna Shepherd ECHO BAY, ONTARIO

Melinda: Don’t let the beauty of this tree fool you. This is a black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia). It’s native to the U.S., but it has escaped the landscape and is considered invasive or a noxious weed in much of the U.S. and Canada. The tree produces fragrant ﬂowers that are followed by seed-ﬁlled pods, which help it spread so well. Unfortunately, it forms dense thickets in natural areas, crowding out other native plants. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend encouraging it or planting it in other areas.

Go online to watch our experts answer some of the toughest, most common backyard questions. See the videos at birdsandblooms .com/expertvideos.

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Hummingbird Sounds Learn what you should be listening for this summer. By Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman

Regular Calls All hummingbirds make short, soft call notes. These are often useful for identifying species. In the West, for example, the soft teew of a black-chinned hummingbird is very different from the musical chip of a rufous hummingbird or the thin tic of a Costa’s hummingbird.

Aggressive Calls The male Anna’s hummingbird is a champion singer.

46 Birds & Blooms

Hummingbirds are amazingly feisty creatures, constantly sparring over choice ﬂower patches and feeders. Their aerial battles are mostly just blufﬁng, but they pump up the effect with all kinds of chattering, squealing noises. When a large number of hummingbirds gather, most of the sounds that you hear will be these aggressive calls.

Songs Yes, some hummingbirds do sing! The champion singer among North American hummers is the male Anna’s hummingbird, which is very common along the Paciﬁc Coast. He will sit on a high perch and sing for minutes at a time, a scratchy series of notes punctuated by a loud tzzip, tzzip! The one at left is singing, but as you can see, it doesn’t open its mouth very wide. In the desert Southwest, the male Costa’s hummingbird also sings, but with a thin, piercing whistle, instead. Although many kinds of tropical hummingbirds have noteworthy songs, most of those in North America aren’t as accomplished as the Anna’s or Costa’s hummers. For example, what passes for song from the male ruby-throated hummingbird is just a monotonous series of calls, given mostly at dawn.

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birdsandblooms.com

LEFT: KOJIHIRANO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ABOVE: ANTHONY MERCIECA

uestion: Why does a hummingbird hum? Answer: Because it can’t remember the words! OK, that’s a pretty bad joke, but it addresses an interesting point. The humming for which hummingbirds are named isn’t a vocal sound, but one created by the rapid beating of their wings. This isn’t the only sound hummingbirds make. Let’s take a look at other sounds you might hear.

WorldMags.net

Costa’s hummingbird

Wing and Tail Sounds Many hummingbird sounds are produced by the feathers of the wings or tail vibrating against the air. The male broad-tailed hummingbird of the Rocky Mountain region has an especially impressive sound. You can always tell when an adult male broad-tail ﬂies past, because of the high, metallic trilling of his wings. Although the male ruby-throat’s wing sounds are not as obvious, the pointed outer feathers of his wings create a high-pitched whine during his ﬂight displays, while shorter inner feathers make a rattling sound when he changes directions. The male Anna’s hummingbird is famous for his song, but he also produces a remarkable sound with his tail feathers. His courtship display includes a zooming dive, in which he plummets toward the june I july 2015

ground and then pulls up with a loud, explosive pop that can be heard from hundreds of yards away. Scientists used to debate whether this was a vocal sound, but studies have shown that it’s the outer tail feathers vibrating at the bottom of the dive making the noise. Listen carefully the next time you see a hummingbird. Not only will you hear that familiar hum of the wings, but you could also hear these other fun sounds.

Kenn and Kimberly are always excited when their Ohio garden is humming with ruby-throats.

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Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman have a new book out called the Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest. It focuses on the most common aspects of nature, including trees, turtles, flowers, fish and more. Learn more at kaufmanfieldguides.com. Birds & Blooms 47

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WorldMags.net bird tales Our readers share some of their best hummingbird stories.

worth the wait Growing up in the city, I never really saw a hummingbird up close. Once I moved to the suburbs, I started planting flowers in my backyard. The hummingbirds absolutely love the bee balm, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exciting to see them come back every year. Now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m adding even more plants to attract as many hummingbirds as I can! Carmen Rugel MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND

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Birds & Blooms 49

bird tales

WorldMags.net ﬁghting for space Male hummingbirds sure are territorial! One day, two of them were fighting for the same space in my backyard. I was watching the scene unfold when I saw this male Anna’s hummingbird all puffed out. I was so fortunate that I could capture the moment with my camera. Lynne McClure VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON

take your bath While I was watering the flowers, I noticed the hummingbirds were sitting on the wet leaves and splashing around. I loved watching them so much, I set the hose up to keep spraying the leaves. Then I went to get the camera to start taking pictures. This was a young ruby-throated hummingbird bathing on the gerbera daisy leaves. Mary Ann Bowyer VESUVIUS, VIRGINIA

For the Boss I made this hummingbird swing and placed it between two sugar-water feeders. The hummingbirds wouldn’t go near it until I took the feeders down. Eventually, I put the feeders back up, and one young hummingbird liked the swing so much, he declared himself the boss and used his perfect vantage point to chase off all the other hungry hummers. Idella Pearl Edwards MARION, ILLINOIS

50 Birds & Blooms

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bird tales

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drop-in visit Gladiolas are one of my all-time favorite summer blooms, and while I was taking photos of the ones in my garden, I noticed I had company. A juvenile ruby-throated hummingbird was also interested in the blooms! I shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been too surprised because hummingbirds like the color red, but it really brought a smile to my face. Patty Jennings STACYVILLE, MAINE

Perfect Perch

DID YOU KNOW? Male hummingbirds often find a perch to guard their territory.

This male ruby-throated hummingbird was extremely friendly last summer. We took this photo in our ďŹ&#x201A;ower garden last year. It was late in the evening, which is when this guy would sit a lot and luckily, we were able to get pretty close to him for this photo. After he left, a younger, much more aggressive, male hummer came along. We sure enjoyed our up-close interactions with him while they lasted. Dennis McNeill CLIO, MICHIGAN For more birding tips and tales, sign up for our free newsletters. Visit birdsandblooms .com/newsletters to learn more.

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READERS SHARE THEIR BEST PHOTOS & STORIES

FACEBOOK POLL

How many ďŹ&#x201A;ower containers do you have in your garden? 1-3 . . . . . . . . . .4% 4-6. . . . . . . . . . .21% 7-9. . . . . . . . . . .19% 10 or more . . .56% Check us out on Facebook to participate in other polls like this. Visit facebook.com/ birdsblooms.

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Birds & Blooms 55

from your backyard

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‘‘

you don’t say!

DO YOU HAVE A CLEVER CAPTION FOR THIS PHOTO? Go to birdsand blooms.com/ youdontsay. We’ll publish some of our favorites in the next issue.

This is Exhausting! Christy Wheeler of Noblesville, Indiana sent us this funny photo of a squirrel family. Her neighbors built this squirrel box last year. She says, “Imagine my surprise when I saw four baby squirrels coming out to get a little fresh air with their frazzled mom!”

Here are our favorites from last issue’s You Don’t Say: “I don’t have a Q-tip. Does this work for you?” Teri Shrigley “I’ll tell you where to find that new school of fish, but it’ll be our secret, OK?” Joshua Venegas “Psssst. I got a secret to tell ya!” Jennifer Smallwood “I said, ‘Don’t drink and dive!’” Renee Thomas “Aaaah, yes, massage therapy does wonders. You’ve got my seal of approval!” Sheri Baudino

We want to see your funny nature photos! Read our Submission Guidelines on page 64.

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Ruby-throated hummingbird in flowering dogwood

DID YOU KNOW? The yellow color on this hummingbird’s throat is caused by a dusting of pollen.

FAVE FIVE

Deter Ants and Bees

Insert a Q-tip in one of the drinking ports, letting the tip stick out. The nectar travels up the stem to the cotton and the wasps and bees will sit on the tip and not bother the other feeding ports. Dell Kyle FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA

Rebecca Williamson

Ruth Andren

BUSHNELL, ILLINOIS

GREENE, MAINE

Bee guards work great for me. They are like little cages that fit into the feeder holes. The hummingbird’s bill slides in and out easily, but it keeps the bees from reaching the sugar water.

To prevent ants from taking over your feeders, rub a very small coat of Vicks VapoRub on whatever your feeder hangs from. I’ve found that it doesn’t bother the birds and the ants won’t go near it.

Protect your feeder from ants by stringing it up with 8-lb. fishing line. The line is too narrow for the ants to traverse. I’ve used this trick successfully for many years. Elizabeth Hodges CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Poke a hole in the middle of an old spray can cap. Run a wire to hang the feeder through the hole and put a dab of waterproof glue around the wire to prevent the ants from sneaking through. Then fill the cap with water. Lisa Barlet NEWBURG, NORTH DAKOTA

Check us out on Pinterest to see what we’re pinning this month. Follow us at pinterest.com/birdsblooms.

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LEFT: IRIN-K/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ABOVE: LYNN WHITT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Readers share tips for keeping pests away from hummingbird feeders.

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name that

flower! Hello, Yellow! Welcome the summer sunshine with the bright yellow blooms in this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photo quiz. Here is a hint: One of them is a veggie! Go to page 64 to see how many you got right.

60 Birds & Blooms

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Submission Guidelines

We love hearing from readers—in fact, we couldn’t publish this magazine without you!

free lip balm G ET A

To make sharing your photos and stories even eaiser, we’ve created an online submission form at birdsandblooms.com/submit-your-story. Each reader whose story, photo or short item is published will receive a Birds & Blooms lip balm made by Wisconsin bees! Because of the volume of submissions, our small staff can’t acknowledge receipt of submissions, but we’ll always let you know if they’re published. By submitting material to us, you grant RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, its afﬁliates, partners and licensees worldwide use of the material without time limitation, and the right to include your name and city/state in connection with any such use. We may modify, reproduce and distribute your material in any medium and in any manner or appropriate place, including but not limited to magazines, promotional merchandise, and marketing and other related materials. We may contact you via phone, email or mail regarding your submission.

Find the Hummingbird! We have a new hidden object! In each issue, we’ll hide a hummingbird (like the one at left and on the cover). If you find it, enter online at birdsandblooms.com/contests. We’ll draw 20 winners from all the correct entries to receive a special packet of Birds & Blooms seeds, specifically for attracting birds and butterflies! In the last issue, the hummingbird was on page 51. See guidelines at right.

Quiz Answers

Find out how well you did on our Name That Flower quiz (page 60). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Gloriosa daisy Tomato plant Daylily Western groundsel Brown-eyed Susan Poppy Sunflower Tulip

BACKYARD TIP Tomato plants often fail to fruit when night temperatures are too hot or cold, but will start fruiting once temperatures are more ideal.

64 Birds & Blooms

Customer Care For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email: customercare@ birdsandblooms.com Visit: birdsandblooms.com/ customercare Call: 888-860-8040 Write: BIRDS & BLOOMS CUSTOMER CARE PO BOX 5294 HARLAN IA 51593-0794 Editorial ofﬁces Write: BIRDS & BLOOMS 1610 N 2ND ST STE 102 MILWAUKEE WI 53212-3906 Call: 414-423-0100 Advertise: 414-423-3736 Buy merchandise: birdsandblooms.com/shop Buy single issues: 888-860-8040 Enter or vote in a contest: birdsandblooms.com/ contests Sell Birds & Blooms in your store: marie.brannon@rd.com Consumer Information: RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, may share information about you with reputable companies in order for them to offer products and services of interest to you. If you would rather we not share information, please write to RDA ENTHUSIAST BRANDS CUSTOMER CARE MAILING LIST, P O BOX 5294 HARLAN IA 51593-0794. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions. Sweepstakes begins on 5/1/15, and ends on 6/26/15. For ofﬁcial rules, visit birdsandblooms.com/ contests. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC.

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BIRDS & BLOOMS (ISSN 1084-5305) (USPS 013-271), Vol. 21, No. 3, June/July 2015 © RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, 2015. Published bimonthly by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, 1610 N. 2nd St., Suite 102, Milwaukee WI 53212-3906. Periodicals Postage Paid at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and additional mailing ofﬁces. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065693, Canadian GST No. 865444285RT. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BIRDS & BLOOMS PO BOX 5294 HARLAN IA 51593-0794. Send undeliverable Canadian addresses to canada_upm_harlan@cpmx.ca. Questions about your subscription? Email customercare@birdsandblooms.com; visit birdsandblooms.com/customercare; write to BIRDS & BLOOMS CUSTOMER CARE, PO BOX 5294, HARLAN IA 51593-0794; or call 888-860-8040. For address changes, include both old and new addresses. If the post ofﬁce alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligations unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Subscription prices: In U.S.: $19.98 for one year, $29.98 for two years, $39.98 for three years. (Canada: one year, $23.98 CDN plus 5% GST or 13% HST, where applicable; international subscriptions: $25.98 per year, U.S. funds prepaid.) Send new subscriptions to PO BOX 5294 HARLAN IA 51593-0794. Allow four to six weeks. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Birds & Blooms is a registered trademark of RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC.

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didWorldMags.net you know? The ladybug isn’t a bug at all—it’s a beetle. Learn why you want this insect in your backyard.

6,000

You can ﬁnd about 6,000 different species of ladybugs around the world. There are about 500 species in the United States alone.

They can have as many as 16 spots, but some ladybugs have no spots at all.

1916

While most ladybugs are good, there is one nonnative species that people don’t like. The Asian lady beetle was introduced in California in 1916. Today it’s more common in the East.

One common belief about ladybugs is that you can tell their age by their number of spots, but this is a myth.

A ladybug can eat up to 50 aphids a day.

One of the most common ladybugs is the seven-spotted lady beetle. It has seven black spots on its back.

MARYA KUTUZOVA/SHUTTERTSTOCK.COM

1,000 Females will lay up to 1,000 eggs within a few months— generally from spring to early summer.

Ladybugs are great garden predators. Here are six “bad bugs” they’ll eat: •Aphids •Mites •Whiteﬂies •Scale insects •Mealybugs •Thrips Ladybugs usually protect themselves from predators in one of two ways: They either play dead or secrete a ﬂuid from their legs to make themselves taste bad.

You might hear ladybugs go by a few different names, including: Ladybirds, Ladybugs, Lady beetles and Lady cows.

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Birds & Blooms 67

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Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Barbara Kingsolver WorldMags.net