Hummingbirds and hummingbirds at the feeder

Our farm house is beginning to feel like hummingbird central. We have so many of them that they are emptying the feeder within just a few hours. It may sound like I am complaining, but I am not, I am in awe. They are a force of nature. We think that what has happened is that our returning hummingbirds nested and had babies and that our numbers have increased expotentially due to the new births. I noticed a difference in color with many of the hummers coming by, and then I realized that they had muted colors because they were young'uns! They are a soft gray with immature color formation, which signaled youths, and then I realized it all made sense. We had hummers, then we didn't and now we have many more than before....the reason being that they disappeared because they were nesting. Of course! Anyway, the whole thing is completely amazing, beautiful and awesome.

They are coming to a feeder right outside the kitchen window which has allowed me some great close ups, but unfortunately they are through a window. The birds are also a lot less fearful of us since the feeder is so close to the kitchen. They even are tolerant of me sitting on a step right next to the feeder. This has allowed me to get a few closer photos, though they are not really crisp. Oh well, still a thrill. All around, it is working out well. Here are some photos and a hummer dogfight at the feeder.

male feeding and guarding the feeder

 female feeding