This time of year many in our area enjoy feeding and watching the hummingbirds as they rest and fatten themselves up for their long trek across the Gulf on their way to the Yucatan Peninsula. One day last week, Port O’Connor residents Jerry and Jan Nutt invited me to their home to see the birds feeding. Arriving around 6:30 p.m., I noticed there were five feeders hanging in view, but no birds. Taking a seat on the front porch, I watched and listened as Jerry began softly whistling. In a minute or two, hummingbirds, seemingly coming out of nowhere, began hovering near the two feeders that hung from a pole on the porch, just two or three feet away from us. I watched as the beautiful little creatures buzzed around and took turns getting a sip of nectar from the feeders. What a delightfully relaxing way to spend the evening!

After a while, the feeding subsided and Jerry told me to go stand very still by the post. I followed his instructions and he once again began whistling. Suddenly, there were hummingbirds all around me. There little wings made a loud, buzzing sound, and I could feel the wind they generated. It was quite a memorable experience.

That day we saw about 30 birds, but Jerry says there are often twice that many gathered at the feeders. There are four different varieties and they roost in the cedar trees at night. (He has seen them using a flashlight.) Early in the morning and late in the evening are the best time for viewing the hummingbirds.

Thank you, Jerry and Jan, for sharing this incredible experience with me. I only regret that I do not have a good enough camera to capture the beauty and scope of my experience.