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"A glittering fragment of the rainbow," John James Audubon called them. Nearly 15 species of hummingbirds visit southern Arizona in the spring. Many of these travelers are en route from their winter haunts in Mexico to summer headquarters farther north.

Tiny as they are, hummers don't seem to fear humans, making them fun to watch and highly addictive: Just watch an emerald calliope, wings beating 80 times per second, dipping its needle-like beak into flowering petals.

Here are five, of Arizona's best places for observing these beguiling birds. (Another fine site, the aviary at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, is closed until fall.) For more information, contact the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (520/432-1388 or www.sabo.org).

Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon. In a hummingbird-rich fold of the Coronado National Forest, the lodge offers guided bird walks daily through May. Cabins from $73, walks $15; reservations required for both. 12 miles east of Green Valley, Arizona, on White House Canyon Rd.; (520) 625-8746 or www.santaritalodge.com.

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. 750 acres between the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains. 6:30-4 Wed-Sun, through Sep; $5. 1 mile south of Paton's sanctuary, on Pennsylvania Ave.; (520) 394-2400 or www.nature.org.

Marion Paton's hummingbird sanctuary. A backyard retreat in Patagonia, 60 miles southeast of Tucson. From State 82 in Patagonia, take N. Fourth Ave. four blocks west to Pennsylvania Ave. Turn south through the stream crossing to the first house on the left.

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. San Pedro House has bird books, maps, and feeders. Sunrise to sunset daily From Sierra Vista, follow State 90. east 7 miles; (520) 439-6400 or www.theriver.com/public/fspr.

Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Oak and sycamore woodland 90 miles southeast of Tucson. 8-5 daily, Mar-Oct; $5. From Sierra Vista follow State 92 south 6 miles, turn right on Ramsey Canyon Rd. and drive 4 miles west; (520) 378-2785 or www.nature.org. Rooms at Ramsey Canyon Inn from $121; (520) 378-3010.