Friday the 13th and Thirsty Hummingbirds

It occurred to me a little while ago, as I was enjoying my morning shower and thinking of nothing in particular, that today is Friday the 13^th. To many, the day presents a whole set of circumstances of which to be wary. Many realize all of the bad things that can happen and, perhaps, they feel it might be best to just crawl back into bed and avoid the day completely.

I’ve never been one to dread Friday the 13^th, although I consider myself a bit superstitious about various other things. For example, I never put up an umbrella in the house, something I was told never to do when I was very young, because doing so could bring all kinds of ill will upon me! Fact is, I don’t even put up umbrellas outside the house, since I really never use one to begin with. But if I did…

Recent surgery and a wisdom tooth extraction both occurred on Friday the 13^th (not the same one, mind you!) and nothing bad happened during or after the procedures.

Another thing I’m noticing this morning as I type this from the cottage’s screened porch, is how quickly the nectar in two hummingbird feeders is dwindling. Over the course of the past week or so, the little rapid-winged critters have been literally swarming about the corner of the porch and the dogwood tree where the two feeders hang. The feeder on the porch’s corner is a glass bottle with four bright red feeding “stations” at the bottom. Very seldom is there more than one bird feeding at the same time, but that wasn’t the case yesterday when there were actually three of them hitting the spigots all at once!

I’m not sure if the dry weather has anything to do with their manic attacks of the feeders, or if it’s just their intense desire to get that good sugar water at a very fast pace. Regardless, I like to think it’s a testament to my nectar-making skills, and that the tiny, ruby-throated guys can’t get enough. I will say, though, that I’ve made more nectar so far this summer than any previous summers here at the lake. What’s my secret? It’s very simple, actually.

Some folks around here prefer to purchase pre-made, red-colored nectar. I’ve never done that because making it is way too simple: In a sauce pan, put four cups of water and one cup of sugar. Heat it until it’s just ready to boil, stirring frequently, and then remove it from the heat and let it cool. Many feel that red food coloring should be added, but it’s not necessary. In fact, my tiny, speedy friends seem to like my clear nectar, fast and furious. 

That’s all there is to it. It’s quick, easy, and the little guys buzzing, fluttering, and humming right now, a few feet away, on this Friday the 13^th are my friends for life—or, at least until the nectar runs out!...CortlandWriter