Like a nectar of the gods, bees and birds are attracted to this sweet liquid secreted by flowers of various plants. Nectar is consumed by such pollinators as bees and hummingbirds, and happily collected by the bees for making honey. Flowers actually produce nectar to attract pollinators such as ants which, in turn, defend the plant from harmful insects.
  Nectar is produced in structures called nectarines. Some plants have the nectarines located outside the flower. The nectar composition is primarily water and varying concentrations of many different sugars, including fructose, glucose and sucrose. Honey is made from these elements plus the oil and special enzymes produced by the bees. It is one of the easiest foods to digest and comes in all types of colours and flavors.
 (spot hummingbird in lower right)
The hummingbird gets the energy it needs to maintain its astonishing metabolism primarily from the nectar of flowers. Of course, there’s the sugar water one can make for the feeder. But even if a feeder is present, the hummingbird will not delay its migration as it is driven by more powerful forces than hunger. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds will fly 2,000 miles every fall when their migration route takes them from northern climates to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. It’s amazing that these hummingbirds will cross 600 miles over the Gulf of Mexico to reach their winter home.
Bumble bees at home at Shaw Nature Reserve.
Hummingbird at home at the 'Quiet Corner'.
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