HUMMINGBIRDS ARE NOW HERE!
This is a post I like to share yearly that I have written about these lovely little critters. Here is a 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. These photos are of previous years. I promise to post one of a 2022 humming bird soon.
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.
These two photos are of previous years where I managed to capture a bird at one of our three feeders.
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.
These photos are of previous years too. I will post some new photos of this incredible Baltimore Oriole bird.
My husband puts out the feeders for both the hummingbirds and the Orioles 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.
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Our feeders are going out!
They are darling! I love seeing birds. Thank you.
Me too! 💕
Always a welcome sight!
They certainly are, Jan! 💕
Always such an exciting time of the year when the first one shows up!
Yes, it really is, Becky! Thanks for stopping by.