Joann Merritt's Essays
Summer Hummers
Summer, 1984
Recently Burr Williams placed an ad in the Midland Reporter Telegram:
The Hummingbird Plant
Attract Hummingbirds with Big Bend Salvia
Blooms from April till frost - Come to Gone Native Nursery
Is there truth in advertising? Don and I purchased three of these plants and set them down in our back yard, still in their black plastic containers, while we decided on a spot with enough sunlight and yet close to the back door. Before they were even planted in the ground we had an Anna’s Hummingbird. POWERFUL PLANTS! It definitely was not just coincidence that a few days later I received a note with a picture of an Anna’s Hummingbird on the front from Georgia Porter. She was inviting me to her southern Arizona home to see the birds there, among them the Anna’s. It is general knowledge that Georgia is good with the birds and I have no doubt that along with the note and picture she sent the bird. It’s no surprise to anyone, of course, that the bird arrived before the letter did.
The Anna’s was not completely mature, but at one turn of his head in the sunlight his throat and crown glowed a beautiful rose-red, his back was green and underparts dark gray. The bird was named Anna’s in honor of the Duchess of Rivoli. Permanent residents of California, some birds winter in southern Arizona. This is the second record for Midland County. In 1974 an Anna’s visited the Williams’ from September 17th to October 26th.
Then along came an immature Rufous Hummingbird with enough color and spirit to be quite entertaining, although I do hold him responsible for chasing away the Anna’s. Black-chinned “ho-hummers” in various plumages sped around the yard, but there was been no Calliope and I know I specified one Calliope Hummingbird Plant! I approached Burr about replacing the ho-hummer plant but he seemed to think I should be satisfied. After some consideration I decided five species -
Anna’s, Rufous, Ruby-throated, Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds - all from a three plant purchase; that was a fair deal!!
This has been an excellent year for hummers around the Merritts' place. Migration continues, so I still have a chance for that Calliope.