What's the Word Hummingbird?

On the heels of last summer's successful photo contest, which saw local residents search for the world's most beautiful butterflies, R&S Landscaping has announced  that the star of this year's contest will be the hummingbird. The Summer Hummingbird Photo Contest gives local children and adults the opportunity to submit photographs of these amazing winged creatures.

"Last year, we were extremely impressed with all of the magnificent butterfly photos we received, and thought we'd try something a little different this time around," stated Robert Schucker, president of R&S Landscaping. "This is a great summertime project that's fun and educational for the entire family. Kids and adults can learn about hummingbirds, work together on ways to attract them, and improve their photography skills in the process. We look forward to viewing all of the entries."

Here are some tips on attracting hummingbirds:

• Hummingbirds drink flower nectar, so adding flowers and shrubs to your garden is one easy way to draw them to your property. They gravitate toward tubular flowers and also seem to particularly like butterfly bushes, azaleas, coral bells, Japanese honeysuckle and geraniums.

• Though the birds will always choose flowers first, adding a hummingbird feeder is another way to attract them to your backyard. You can search the Internet for recipes on how to make a simple nectar blend out of sugar and water.
•  It is said hummingbirds are most attracted to items with the color red on them. Be sure to plant some red-colored flowers and try to find a red feeder.

From July 1 through Aug. 31, individuals can submit photographs snapped of hummingbirds in their natural habitat for a chance to win the first place prize: the free installation of a perennial bush that will attract butterflies. The second place winner will receive a pair of gardening books that detail perennial care and garden design.

Submissions should include a name, town and small story behind the picture, and can be sent via e-mail to info@rscape.com. All submissions will be posted on the R&S Landscaping's Facebook page, and members of the R&S team will select the best photograph. The winners will be announced in early September, and the winning photographs will be posted on the company's website.