Leonard at large

Last week a little girl living next door, a first grader, apparently taking a survey, asked me what season of the year is my favorite. When the answer was spring, she said that everyone was givingspring as their favorite season.

Some people prefer fall and considers it as their favorite season. Fall is beautiful, but it is also the time when things die. This is a great time of the year, trees are blooming, flowers are beginning to bloom, birds are singing, trees are leafing, the days are getting warmer -- things are coming to life. Yes, even the insects and it is amazing how quick the insects begin to fly around.

A special pleasure for many people is seeing hummingbirds. Last month, someone reported that the humming birds have arrived. It must have been an insect that is often taken to be a hummingbird. Anyway, it is about time to get those hummingbird feeders up.

According to a map on the Internet, hummingbirds were sighted in southeast Missouri on March 23 and on April 2, and in McDonnell County on Tuesday of this week. They are on their way. There are people who are really into the watching and study of humming birds, and there is much information on the Internet about them. Is there anyone in this vicinity who belongs to the Hummingbird Society? Last year, I tried to find mom's hummingbird feeder. She could not remember where she put it and I could not find it. Later in the summer, I found it in a plastic bag.

When I could not find it, I decided to get another feeder. I bought a cheap one The saying is that you get what you pay for, and this time it was true -- the device wasn't any good. The printed material on the box about feeding hummingbirds was the opposite of what the people who are really into hummingbirds recommend. The birdfeeder was made in another country and sold cheaply. Every time I used the feeder, I was sorry that I had gotten this type of hummingbird feeder.

The food should consist of 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water. Before putting the sugar in, the water needs to be boiled to remove chlorine.

Let it cool some before putting the mix in the feeder. Making it a little stronger the beginning of the season may help to attract the hummers to the feeder. One suggestion I read was to dilute it later to 1 to 5, which helps to keep the insects away, but the hummingbirds will still feed on it. I had not seen that recommendation before.

Coloring should not be used in the feeder. According to reliable sources, the coloring may be poisonous to the hummingbirds. Some sources advocate that the dye may cause tumors.

Coloring in the food is not needed to attract hummingbirds. Normally the feeders has red on it, and that attracts the hummers to the feeder. Yellow may be used, but red is better.

One person I am acquainted with uses a red funnel, placing it upside down on top of the feeder. It is his opinion that the red funnel helps to draw the tiny birds. I have never tried it, but this person has lots of hummingbirds. It may be the location of the home? I have never seen as many hummingbirds as there were at his place. He has to fill the feeders twice a day. It is interesting to sit in his sun room and watch the hummers around the feeders.

The hummingbirds need much energy each day. They have a fast breathing rate, a fast heartbeat, and a high body temperature. They eat about every 10 minutes -- six times an hour. They eat about two-thirds of their body weight each day. Do not put anything else in the solution for the feeder. They get their protein by eating insects. The hummingbirds in this area are of the Ruby-throated variety. There are several different varieties in the United States. Their immigration are interesting, as they arrive when the flowers are in bloom and they head south when the flowers are no longer in bloom -- usually some time in October. Before migrating in the fall, they do much feeding to give them the strength they are going to need.

Regardless what some people may tell you, the hummers do not hitched a ride on geese or ducks. Many people are of this opinion.

The hummers seem to have a good memory. They remember where their food sources are and return to the same places each year.

When preparing the feeder, take the excess solution and place in a refrigerator.

The feeders should be changed about once a week. When it gets hot in the summer, the feeder should be changed about every three days. This helps to keep it fresh and not sour.

Each time when putting the feed in the feeder, the feeder needs to be rinsed out good with hot water. Detergent or soap should never be used. About once a month the feeder should be soaked with a bleach and water solution to get rid of the mold, which is harmful to the hummers. Do not let the feeders go dry, or the hummers may get discouraged, leave, and not return.

Often to see a hummingbird at the feeder is breathtaking, especially when it is the first one to come to the feeder.

It is interesting to watch them feed, display themselves to other hummers, in their courtship, protecting their territory, and fighting. They are an interesting creature.

The hummingbirds are on their way -- in nearly two weeks, they will be here.

By next week you will want to get your feeders up and may the hummers come to your feeder. I look forward to seeing and enjoying them.