It has turned cooler and there is little hummer activity this morning. The inactivity reflects not the coolness (there are hummingbirds in the Andes which remain active in freezing temperatures) but the shift in the wind direction, to the north. This triggers southward migration. But activity might pick up in the afternoon, as the wind shifts to east then south, and we will be OPEN FROM 3 to 5.30.
The photo is by John Heidecker, and shows a bird at cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis. This is a superb native Long Island flower, typically found growing wild along stream banks. It is mainly pollinated by hummingbirds, and wherever you see it growing naturally there are hummers around. It's difficult to grow at the sanctuary because it is very dry here (steep slopes, wind, sand) but we have a few nice specimens. Avoid cultivars and hybrids (mostly with great blue lobelia, L syphilitica) that are not true red with green leaves. These do not have adequate nectar.
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