Alma de Sedona - Hummingbird Festival

Our experience here in Sedona exceeded our expectations. Our room was so beautiful and the view was magnificent. We will go back to Houston fully recharged and take back many wonderful memories.
- Bernard and Amy, Richmond, TX

We've stayed at many bed and breakfasts and this place is one of our favorites. We love the hospitality, feel and cleanliness of the Inn. Sedona is beautiful.
- Pat and Todd, Ashburn VA

Professional Association of Innkeepers International

Hummingbird Festival comes to Sedona, Arizona

The first Sedona Hummingbird Festival will take place August 3-4-5, 2012, with presentations and a “Hummingbird Mall” at the new Sedona Performing Arts Center. There will also be an opening night Gala Thursday evening, August 2. For complete details, visit the festival page.

Sedona, the location voted by USA Today readers as the most beautiful spot in America, will show off another natural resource--its hummingbirds. Presentations, tours, banding--much more to follow! You can keep up with announcements by signing up for a new festival e-letter.

This free e-newsletter is designed to distribute updates about the August, 2012 Sedona Hummingbird Festival, the first ever! It is being created by of The Hummingbird Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to hummingbirds, in support of its mission of education and conservation. You do not have to be a member of the Society to receive this e-newsletter--or live in the greater Sedona area.

August is the month when Sedona’s hummingbird population is at its highest. Tens of thousands of hummingbirds pass through Sedona on the way south for the winter. Wouldn't you like to watch hummingbirds and learn more about them in a fun, family-oriented setting? (and in one of the world’s most beautiful locations!).

Spring through late summer are the best times to spot most of the 15 hummingbird species that live in or migrate through Arizona. The Black Chinned, Broad Billed, Rufous, Costa's and Anna's Hummingbirds are just a few that you might see in the Spring through late summer are the best times to spot most of the 15 hummingbird species that live in or migrate through Arizona. The Black Chinned, Broad Billed, Rufous, Costa's and Anna's Hummingbirds are just a few that you might see in the Verde Valley.

Hummingbirds may be the most universally loved form of wildlife in America and possibly in the world. Sedona, with its many other tourism assets, is the perfect spot to see hummingbirds. Even living in Arizona, the state with the second most hummingbird species in the U.S. (Texas has the most), you still feel lucky whenever you see a hummingbird. They're like happy omens, tiny winged assurances that beauty, mystery and joy are alive and well. Their iridescent colors, delicate bodies and impossibly speedy flight have captured our imaginations for as long as we've shared the land with them.

In Sedona, the migrant hummingbirds are coming from the northwestern US and the lower parts of Western Canada. Their numbers are substantial. At the home of the author on Oak Creek, the population of hummingbirds last year rose from 30 birds/day in June to 150/day in August. Two individuals (Uptown Sedona and West Sedona) reported nectar consumption in August that implies daily populations of 800/day and 900/day. These are impressive numbers.

The Hopi considered hummingbirds as emissaries to the Gods, flitting into the beyond to intercede on man's behalf, particularly when we needed rain. Hopi and Zuni legends tell of hummingbirds intervening on behalf of humans, convincing the gods to bring rain. Because of this, people from these tribes often paint hummingbirds on water jars. The Hopi kachina for Hummingbird depicts him with green moccasins and a green mask. He has an aqua body, and he is yellow on top of the head. H is crowned with a ruff made of Douglas fir.

An Apache legend tells of Wind Dancer, a young warrior, who was born deaf, but could sing magical, wordless songs that brought healing and good weather. He married Bright Rain, a beautiful, young woman whom he rescued when she was being attacked by a wolf. Wind Dancer was killed during another errand of mercy. A bitter, death-bring winter ensued, but it suddenly and mysteriously ended after Bright Rain started taking solitary walks.

Tribal elders learned Wind Dancer had come back to her in the form of a hummingbird. He wore the same ceremonial costume and war paint he had worn as a man. In fields of spring flowers he would approach her and whisper his magical secrets in her ear. This brought her peace and joy.

Hummingbirds feed on nectar-rich flowers and man-made nectar in feeders. A typical hummingbird consumes twice its weight in nectar every day. The hummingbirds’ drive for nectar means that they can be attracted to specific places—such as porches and gardens (and businesses!) with feeders, making them easy to see for even casual nature lovers.

We will be offering a special "hummingbird" package when we have the official dates. Like us on facebook to make sure you are not left out. We will be posting the special in plenty of time for you to make your reservations.

Hummingbird Festival Sedona Arizona 2012

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Alma de Sedona Inn
50 Hozoni Drive • Sedona • AZ • 86336
800•923•2282 or 928•282•2737

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innkeeper@almadesedona.com