The wearable hummingbird feeder

[n2doc]

Hummingbird enthusiasts, how far are you willing to go for the ultimate hummingbird experience? Because a California inventor has created a hummingbird feeder that you wear on your face.

For $79.95 (shipping included) you buy one of these plastic helmets to pop on your head, sit quietly and motionless near a tree, and wait for the buzzing little birds to zoom up and drink sweet sugar water from a hole between your eyes. It sounds sort of awesome, and sort of terrifying.

The wearable hummingbird feeder was created by Doyle Doss, a bearded inventor from Humboldt County (surprise!). He got the idea in the 1970s when a humming bird flew right in front of his face, inspecting his then gargantuan red beard for a place to stick its beak.

"I was frozen and then I blinked and it flew away, but it was just so unique," he said. "I always wanted to be able to share that experience with other people."

video and pic at link

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2010/04/check-out-the-wearable-hummingbird-feeder.html

[Inchworm]

1. I do believe that dude is passed out

I tried something similar and about jumped out of my skin each time the birds came :D

Cool stuff though!

:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

6. Dude, Humboldt County. Easy to be mellow there.

:smoke:

We've learned that wearing a colorful shirt within twenty feet of the feeders is an invitation for an up close encounter with a hummingbird -- sometimes a little TOO close.

[HopeHoops]

2. About 13 years ago, I had a hummingbird do that to me on a 3rd floor fire escape.

I was taking a break from the frigid computer room at the San Diego Union Tribune building and took my coffee out to the fire escape. A hummingbird popped up right in front of me, darted around a bit and seemed agitated and then flew off.

I mentioned it to the guys in the computer room and they immediately said, "you don't put sugar in your coffee."

I agreed. I don't put sugar in it. They all do. The hummingbird was after my coffee but must have been able to tell by smell that it was lacking in sugar. The damn thing drank out of their cups! Aren't hummingbirds wired enough as it is? Give it refined sugar and caffeine and ZING! And to think they built a 27 mile collider to look for the "God particle".

[kimi]

3. That is such a cool story!

A hummingbird looking for caffeine and sugar? Maybe it was a little caffeine addict. Kinda interesting :)

[hippywife]

4. I don't think I would enjoy that.

They sound like a helicopter coming in for a landing when they come close to your head. They've taken me unaware a few times and scared the bejeezus outta me. LOL

[REP]

5. They do that to me with no beard, no feeder hat

The Annas who visit my porch kinda like me, as much as wild birds can like humans. A female I call Ruby even sits on me sometimes (I shoo off aggressive males when she's trying to feed).

[Kali]

7. they swarm me when their feeders are empty

aggressive little bastards

and now the orioles (2 species!) and woodpeckers are snagging the stash so they get empty fast

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. Best place (IMneverHO)...

.
...for a first "get acquainted" date in Tucson is the Tohono Chul Tearoom.
.
Cool little park with lots of native plants and animals roaming around (the
plants don't roam around much during the heat of the day).
.
Outside on the patio, you're liable to have frequent hummingbird visitors
at your table. I've never seen them aggressive... just seem to be curious
about you and your meal.
.
Makes for an EXCELLENT brunch.
.

[Lasher]

9. I catch them with my hands when they get stuck in the garage.

They get confused and just keep smacking up against the window pane, trying to get out. Sometimes they faint before I can release them outside. Once one made a real pitiful squeaking noise as it passed out. When this happens I just lay them on the ground and guard them from a distance until they wake up in about 3 minutes and fly off.

During summer I keep the garage door closed whenever I can because of this.

[hunter]

10. We've got a little rufous currently claiming our front fountain.

He's an aggressive little monster. He'll zoom at your face like a helicopter gunship and veer off at the last possible instant.

I think the guy who claims the fountain gets the most girls...