HUMMINGBIRDS ARE NOW HERE!

This is the second post I have written about these lovely little critters. Here is the previous one.

The bird feeders are out! Now to catch them in action! You have to be quick to see them.

I had my first sighting this year a few days ago. It’s such a thrill to see them coming back.

If you have been reading my blog since March of 2013, you would know how much I love birds, especially hummingbirds! They are the smallest of the birds and the only ones that can hover in mid-air and fly backwards. They are incredible little creatures that are fascinating to watch and catch in motion if you can.

I wrote this poem several years ago and updated it to reflect my feelings toward these gorgeous little birds.

HUMMINGBIRD

by Janice Spina

It’s as delicate as a butterfly

And graceful as a lark.

Wings beating in a symphonic rhythm

As it maneuvers around each flower,

And dips its beak to draw out the sweet-smelling nectar.

I watch as it moves effortlessly.

Its iridescent wings rapidly beating

As it hovers like an acrobat in midair.

Its feathers glisten with color and reflect the sun’s rays.

Seeing this bird in its element is to experience pure wonder and joy.

One knows there is something greater out there

That made the glorious hummingbird!

Another unbelievably beautiful bird is the Baltimore Oriole. The beauty of this bird cannot be captured in my photos here. You must see one to believe the vibrancy of its colors – brilliant yellow and black. It has a strange call which sounds like clicking similar to that of a chattering chipmunk.  It’s a distinctive sound and when we hear it we run to the back deck. This is where the Oriole feeder is kept.

My husband puts out the feeders for both the hummingbirds and the Oriole at the same time in early May. That’s when they are both expected to arrive. It’s quite an exciting time to see them return each year to the same feeder.

In the photos above that I took this year the little guy is looking right at the camera posing for a picture. He doesn’t appear to be frightened in the least and will come to the feeder even when we are sitting on the deck.

Here are some exciting facts about these amazing little creatures. My source for info below is Wikipedia.

Hummingbirds are birds from the Americas that constitute the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest birds, most species measuring 7.5-13 cm in length.

Lifespan: 3-5 years

Speed: 49 mps (Maximum, Diving)

My source for information below is defenders.org.

Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds with iridescent feathers. Their name comes from the fact that they flap their wings so fast (about 80 times per second) that they make a humming noise. They can fly right, left, up, down, backwards, and even upside down. They are also able to hover by flapping their wings in a figure-8 pattern. They have a specialized long and tapered bill that is used to obtain nectar from the center of long, tubular flowers. The hummingbird’s feet are used for perching only, and are not used for hopping or walking.

Hummingbirds primarily eat flower nectar, tree sap, insects and pollen.

Their fast breathing rate, fast heartbeat and high body temperature require that they eat often. They also require an enormous amount of food each day. They have a long tongue which they use to lick their food at a rate of up to 13 licks per second.

If you would like more information on these incredible birds, go to Wikipedia, defenders.org or other sites.

I hope you will get to see one of these creatures in action. Happy bird watching!

Thank you for stopping by! Please come back again.

REMEMBER: READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS.COM ALL THROUGH SUMMER! Happy Reading!

Blessings & Hugs!

Janice