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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | MAY 2017 21 Article and pictures by Dick Roppé, Resident Once again I'm going to talk-up hummingbirds. The variety we have flitting about Solera is called Anna's Hummingbird. They are common in the western part of the country and will remain in the area year-round. They are no bigger than a ping- pong ball and weigh no more than a nickel. Now is mating season and the bright-throated male goes "high" to attract a mate. He will climb up to 130 feet and then dive toward the ground creating a whistling sound through his tail feathers. Hummers are easy to attract — all you need is a feeder. Feeders come in several varieties — usually red — and can be found at most larger retailers. Find a place to hang your feeder where you can watch. Hummers are very entertaining and keep your ears open. Make your own nectar: Hummingbird nectar is also known as hummingbird food. There are commercial mixtures made with red dye that is not necessary and can be harmful to their little kidneys. Simple nectar can be made using a recipe of (be accurate) four parts water to one part sugar (not confectioners). Bring the water to a boil on the stove or in the microwave (I use a Pyrex measuring cup to boil the water in the microwave), add the sugar, stir until completely dissolved and let cool. You can make extra and save it in the refrigerator. You want to keep the nectar fresh especially during hot summer months. Clean your feeder with soapy water. I also use a little bleach. Be sure and rinse the feeder thoroughly. Nesting materials: Hummers build small nests about the size of half a large egg. A suet feeder can be purchased at Lowes for about $2. It makes a great container for dryer lint and finely pulled-apart cotton. Hang it in an accessible location. Attracting hummers: If you want your garden to attract hummers, plant brightly-colored flowers that are tubular — they hold the most nectar and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. The experts suggest several plants but I'm not sure which are conducive to our climate — these include perennials such as bee balms, columbines, day-lilies, and lupines; biennials such as foxgloves and hollyhocks; and many annuals, including cleomes, impatiens, and petunias. Happy humming! HYPING THE HUMMERS