Ruby-throated Hummingbird- 5" x 7" watercolor and goache |
The hummers are coming! The hummers are coming!
Can you tell I'm excited?
Hummingbirds are some of my favorite birds and it turns out the rest of the country is in love with them, too. Some folks spend hundreds of dollars a year to keep their feeders full of sugar water to attract these flying jewels. While I don't go that crazy (only because I don't get that many hummers) I do spend a fair amount of time trying to attract them by putting up feeders, planting their favorite flowers, etc. I have even gone so far as to leave a feeder out into December last year wrapped in a mitten and red lights for the late migrating Anna's that were moving through the valley. I was rewarded with photos, too, for my efforts.
Anna's Hummingbird juvenile-Dec. 2014 |
In anticipation of the hummers arriving my feeders are up and ready and I painted the ruby-throat to kick off the season. While I don't get them in my part of the country they are among the most popular of the hummers so I started with them first. I grew up with them in Illinois and saw lots of them while visiting my dad in Kentucky so I am well acquainted with them.
The above painting is currently available through an auction at my Daily Paintworks site.
(it is now sold, but I always take orders!)
Zip on over and have a look, then get your feeders out. The hummers are coming!