Male Black-chinned hummingbird at a Hot Lips Salvia - Hilary Joy Morejon

Happy 4th of July from us at the Society! Can you believe that the Sedona Hummingbird Festival is less than one month away?! We are so excited to hear from our presenters, be amazed by our exhibitors' creations, learn valuable information from our expert banders (and possibly release a hummingbird), explore serene gardens, and meet old and new friends, and more!

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Our calendar is at the press and will

be available at the festival!

Pre-order will be live on our website as well, soon!

Jewels of the Summer is a program that delves into the natural history of four species of hummingbirds that are found in Colorado. The Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Rufous, and Calliope hummingbirds.

Have you ever wondered why hummingbirds hum, what their nests look like, what they use to build their nests, or how long it takes to construct? These are some of the things that Scott will be discussing and showing in his presentation. 

You will learn interesting facts about hummingbirds including how the gorgets of hummingbirds reflect different colors in different light, and why the Broad-tailed hummingbird makes such a unique sound when it flies, and why the Rufous Hummingbird is so aggressive.

You will also see the ranges of each species, including where they nest and where they winter.

Over the many millennia that hummingbirds have been traversing the continent north of Mexico, several well-trodden routes have developed, as ever- increasing numbers of birds passed through and many nectar-bearing wildflowers responded to their presence by evolving to appeal to them. Learn about these vital nectar corridors through the mountains and deserts of the western United States, featuring some beautiful and iconic plants that now primarily depend upon hummingbirds to pollinate them and in turn fuel their epic migrations.

Rich Armstrong is a Master Birder who has traveled far and wide to observe the vast amount of bird species that are out there. He will speak on various birding places he's been in Arizona including: the White Mountains, Lake Havasu, Yuma, Tucson, Madera, Sierra Vista, Portal, and Phoenix area.  

The Rufous Hummingbird, which has been described as belligerent and even a bully, has experienced dramatic population declines of more than 60% since the 1970s despite its feisty nature. This long-distance migrant serves as a powerful symbol of the urgent need to protect migratory hummingbirds. We'll delve into this species' remarkable journey, spanning vast landscapes as it navigates from breeding sites northwest to overwintering sites in Mexico. Discover the challenges it faces, the efforts of biologists across its flyway to develop a conservation plan, and what we can do to help ensure its survival. 

A special listening experience steeped in the carrying stream and dipped between the echo of memory and everlasting circle, where folklore, poetry, and myth are woven. This unique Storytelling experience asks; what binds us yet sets us free and why do we fly toward both obscure and tangible connections within the natural magic of our living world? Written and performed by Storyteller Claire Obermarck The Silver Thread is an especially crafted tale for The Hummingbird Festival. 

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John and Joan live in Loveland, CO. They share a lifelong fascination and passion for hummingbirds. Over the past 40 years they have observed these birds unmatched natural abilities by watching & feeding them from the deck of their family cabin in Westcliffe, CO.

It was through watching and learning, from afar, that made John want to get a closer look. He spent 2 years researching, designing, and testing a wearable hummingbird feeder. The HummViewer was finalized in 2017 and made its debut on Denver’s local NBC affiliate, NEXT with Kyle Clark. John received a patent for the HummViewer in 2021.

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In 2022 John and Joan pitched HummViewer on Shark Tank. They made a deal with Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND brand foods, who has a shared connection with hummingbirds. A once in a lifetime opportunity for John, Joan and HummViewer!

The HummViewer is a wearable hummingbird feeder that provides an observational sensory experience to feed and observe hummingbirds up close.

Her art is formed, manipulated, and created using various conventional and non-conventional tools. A wet saw, hand grinder and her grandfather’s antique shoe making tools help define the marble. Scrimshaw tools are also used to pick out the intricacy of her art. 

Her subjects for oil painting include wildlife and the scenic mountain beauty of Colorado and the raw desert picturesque areas of Arizona. As she was a “snowbird” between these states, she gets some phenomenal subject matter. 

Her marble comes from the Yule Marble Quarry found in the cool high mountains in Marble, Colorado. Here our nation has acquired this pure marble for some of our well-known National Monuments, such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Lincoln Memorial. In Arizona, the Mohave County courthouse in Kingman, Arizona also has this wonderful marble. 

The Yule Marble Quarry has been considered to have the highest quality in the world. Leanne is thrilled to have the opportunity to show her art on this magnificent stone. Each piece is completed with Damar Varnish to preserve her creativity and for all to enjoy for years to come. 

We try to capture the Beauty of Hummingbirds with Custom Flagstone Paintings, adding sparkle and dimension to highlight the beauty of these Magnificent Birds! 

We also have custom created NoteCards and other beautiful Southwest Paintings.

Charles Decker is an award winning contemporary Native American Artist. Stop by his booth during the festival to watch as he creates Live Art while talking about the history and culture of the Sedona area! He and his ancestors (Dilzhe'e Apaches) have been occupying the Sedona areas for a long time. For Charles, the Hummingbird is a very iconic/spiritual being through his cultural religion, identity, day to day movements and creation story. Decker can't wait to share his thoughts, and learn from your connections!

Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS) serves Flagstaff, Sedona and the Verde Valley.

We wish to spread the love of nature, the outdoors and birds. To fulfill our mission, we host events to share our knowledge and passion, we participate in citizen science, we engage in advocacy action and we promote conservation of all animal and plant species. You can help! Whether you become a member, donate or simply share your appreciation of birds, you are making a difference.

Tucson Audubon inspires people to enjoy and protect birds through recreation, education, conservation, and restoration of the environment upon which we all depend. We work for a future in which the people of southeast Arizona are connected to their natural world through birds, and they protect and use our natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Scott Rashid is an artist, researcher, bird rehabilitator, bird bander, author, and the director of a nonprofit, the Colorado Avian Research and rehabilitation Institute or CARRI for short. 

In 1992 he received his state and federal banding permits and two years later was asked to create a bird banding program near Estes Park, Colorado. In 2014, Scott and his volunteers banded their 10,000th bird there.

In 1994, he became a licensed bird rehabilitator, and began taking care of injured birds. Through his rehabilitation efforts, he has taken care of eagles, falcons, owls, hawks, songbirds, hummingbirds, and corvids of all kinds. He has returned hundreds of injured and orphaned birds back to the wild. 

He has an extensive knowledge of and love of owls. Beginning with an owl nesting research project in hopes of increasing the number of Barn Owls to studying the Great Horned owl, to researching the Northern Goshawk , to studying Long-eared owls, Northern Pygmy Owls, American kestrels, and the Northern Saw-Whet Owl.

The first book he published was called “Small Mountain Owls:; a natural history study about the Northern Pygmy Owl, the Northern Saw-Whet, the Flammulated and Boreal Owls. This was followed by “the Great Horned Owl: an in-depth study;”

“the Northern Goshawk: the Gray Ghost;”

“Exploring the World of the Barn Owl: an intimate look into their secretive lives;”

“American Kestrel: the Diminutive Raptor,”

and “The Northern Saw-whet Owl: the deep woods Gnome”, all including many of his superb illustrations and photographs.

Currently based in Cordova, Kate McLaughlin has been a resident of Alaska since 1998 and began working with hummingbirds in 2007 on Evan’s Island in remote Prince William Sound. After receiving her Master Hummingbird Banding certification in 2015, Kate created the Alaska Hummingbird Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) scientific and educational non-profit organization. When not chasing hummingbirds, Kate spends her time birding and foraging in the woods for berries and mushrooms. When the weather is too rough to play outside, she enjoys drinking tea and trying to write with a cat on her lap.

*When you click the button below you will need to fill out our brief waiver in order to proceed to ticket sales.*

Garden 4 - Athena Tree Gardens:  Garden of Kira Athena - Village of Oak Creek (NEW)

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We’ve lived all over the country and have developed lush gardens in many desert environments. Here in Pine Valley, our place was initially established 30 years ago by someone who loved gardens. We’ve spent our time bringing everything back to life and into thriving blooms, while adding many different types of hummingbird and bee attracting flowers and shrubs to complement our stunning view of Lee Mountain, which we like to call Magic Mountain. 

We have ponds and meandering pathways, many beautiful places to sit with the views and the birds, so each moment throughout the landscape is existing within the expanded beauty where you can feel connected to the soul of Sedona. There’s an energy here that feels similar to the Stupa, through the peaceful environment of the land with the birds. We love bringing all forms of life and beauty together in one space, especially with how the hummingbirds connect these aspects of nature in such a beautiful way. We’re also developing food gardens and an earth dome, in process for next year. We’re honored for Athena Tree Gardens to be part of the Hummingbird Festival and to share this inspiring space.

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Yes! It is handicapped accessible.

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Garden 5 - A Sanctuary for Hummingbirds: Garden of Bernadette Bezich – a returning favorite

Bernadette Bezich works year-round to have a bountiful habitat for her hummers. In addition to flowers, she also maintains numerous feeders for her hummingbird friends. Bernadette says: “I live near Oak Creek with gardens all around my property. It is called ‘Tiny Waters’ after the canal above us which allows irrigation. During the winter I keep about six feeders around the house for the Anna’s males that stay all winter. In the spring many more come, the female Anna’s and the Black-chinneds, and they spend the summer. The Rufous and Broadtails stop on their way north. I have also seen the Costa’s on rare occasions. In the evening before the sunset, dozens of hummers crowd the feeders, I keep about twenty around the house. They are a pleasure to watch and take care of. I spend a lot of time cleaning and filling feeders, as I love my hummers.”

Not handicapped accessible.

Some hummingbird etiquette to observe: Bernadette asks that you don’t stand up too close to the feeders, as it keeps the birds from coming.

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Garden 6 - Hummingbird Haven: Garden of Michelle Kerr (NEW) 

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Hummingbird Haven is located in the quiet neighborhood of Oak Creek Country Club in the Village of Oak Creek.  Our garden seeks to follow the principles of attracting hummingbirds using feeders, flowers, fountains and foliage.

This approximate half acre property has a majestic willow tree and a magnificent magnolia along with many fruit trees that provide shelter and shade to these wonderful creatures to rest and preen. The Hummingbird Haven has over a dozen feeders in separate locations to provide nourishment and 8 different fountains that provide moving water for the hummingbirds to cool off and bathe. 

To create an enticing hummingbird habitat, we planted many different perennials including hibiscus, pincushions, salvia, honeysuckle, jasmine, Passion Flower, Snapdragons , Calla Lilly, Canna Lilly, Queen of the Nile and butterfly bushes.  Hummingbird friendly annuals such as mandevillas, petunias, pentas and bougainvillea are also incorporated into the Hummingbird Haven. In total over 30 different hummingbird friendly plants and shrubs are available as natural sources of nectar and nourishment. 

Each feeder station has seating to observe these amazing birds. The front garden is handicap accessible and the rear garden is partially handicap accessible.  We look forward to your visit!

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Partially handicapped accessible

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Hummingbird Hotspot - Get Your Hummingbird Fix! (NEW)

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Rich and Nanette Armstrong are opening up their garden to those who want to get their hummingbird fix while enjoying a peaceful and serene environment. Located right on Oak Creek, this property has various fruit trees, 20 hummingbird feeders, suet feeders, millet feeders, sunflower seed feeders, has recorded 174 species in the yard, and hopes to have 5 hummingbird species. Talk about a hotspot!

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*When you click the button below you will need to fill out our brief waiver in order to proceed to ticket sales.*

You wont be going hungry if Penny's Place has anything to do with it! On Sunday at the festival - come hungry! Penny's Place has an assortment of different foods including: burgers, BBQ chicken, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, wings, nachos, and more! YUM!