This has been an especially good summer for seeing the beautiful and graceful little ruby throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris). Earlier this summer I switched from using a commercial hummingbird food to making my own out of sugar and water, and the hummies have loved it. But now, as fall approaches, my numbers are dwindling as they begin their migration south for the winter. Most of the males left about a month ago, and now I see almost exclusively females and immature males. Now even those guys are leaving so before long the hummingbird season will be over. Once they’re all gone, the feeders will come in and get a thorough cleaning and disinfecting before winter storage. That way they will be all set to go to work again in the spring.