After hanging up a cheap plastic feeder for a couple years only to have it ignored except by the ants, I noticed that my neighbors have two feeders -- one, another cheap plastic one, is likewise ignored; however, the other is glass and has a grill allowing the bird to get to the nectar from many different angles ... it also got a lot of attention from the tiny birds.

After finding one in a hardware store, I found I could just sit still at around dusk and be able to enjoy their visits from a few feet away. This picture unfortunately was a little out of focus. I also find that it's a very popular spot when it's raining. This guy was almost always on his perch where he can swoop in to drink and also keep an eye out for intruders and possible mates.

I caught this one through the screen, as you can tell (the screen was about invisible until the flash went off), as he's dive-bombing an intruder and driving him off (the intruder is gone -- they move fast!)

Click on any picture for a larger version.

This evening I counted at least three, I think there were two males and one female. If I see that they mate and build a nest in the maple tree, I'm sure the camera and I will be climbing ... can you imagine how small the eggs are? Although, this late in the season, it could just be the females and fledglings are both out of the nests.

For more information on Ruby Throated Hummingbirds go to Operation Rubythroat.