I had an amazing up-close encounter with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird yesterday.  While I was using the hose to water some backyard fig trees and pumpkin vines, a female hummer landed on a branch of the crape myrtle tree where our hummingbird feeder is, about 5' from where I stood.  She flitted down to the feeder - about 3' from me - and drank some of the sugar water before flying back to the branch.  I'm sure she had no idea I was standing there.  I put the hand-held hose nozzle on spray and pointed it up into the tree so the light spray would shower her from above.  For the next two or so minutes she alternately preened, wiped her bill on a branch, and fed from the feeder, seemingly overjoyed to unexpectedly find a cool shower on this hot afternoon.  This is why I bird!

Barry
(Towson)