When I first put out hummingbird feeders early in the season I was using commercially bought nectar. It was convenient and easy to prepare, but a bit pricey. I bought a 2lb. box of 8 4oz. packets. Simply dissolve 1 packet with 16oz. of water and I was good to go.
After doing a little research, I discovered that making my own nectar was more affordable.
It’s quite simple to make using the formula 1:4… that’s one part sugar to four parts water. Completely dissolve the sugar and serve. Adding red dye is not necessary and some say it might actually be bad for the birds. I put my leftovers in the refrigerator for later use.
The nectar needs to be changed about every 3-4 days to prevent it becoming rancid. And, the feeders need to be regularly cleaned to prevent mold from forming inside the feeder.
It’s important to understand as much as you can about hummingbirds if you want to photograph them. Hummingbirds are fast and agile so if you need to be in the right place at the right time. You’ll need to position yourself and simply wait. It takes a little patience and preparation, but in time they will come and if you’re ready for them you can get some great shots.