Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Hummmmm

  

The Hummers are passing through.


In the early spring and early fall, we start seeing more hummingbirds as they migrate to or from Mexico and Central America. Right now, we are seeing more as they begin to move toward the coast in preparation for the 500-mile trip across the gulf or down through Mexico.  However they go, these small birds can make the journey in less than a day.  Pretty impressive.

So, when I noticed more hummers in the yard, I set out the feeder.  Right now, I have one (possibly the same one each time) that is feeding from the multiple bird feeder throughout the day.  There are several others that try approaching the feeder, however that pushy little bird keeps chasing off any others that are interested in stopping by for a meal.





Now, (several days after I started this), it seems the original bird has either moved on or accepted that other birds can feed and there will still be plenty for all.  I look out currently to see 4 or 5 little hummers sitting at the feeder for breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, luncheon and so on. 

So, just in case you ever needed to know –


A hummingbird’s brilliant color is not caused by feather pigmentation, but rather by iridescence in the arrangement of the feathers. Light level, moisture, angle of viewing, wear and tear, and other factors all influence just how bright and colorful the bird may appear.

Hummingbirds cannot walk or hop, though their feet can be used to scoot sideways while they are perched. These birds have evolved smaller feet to be lighter for more efficient flying.

Hummingbirds have over 900 feathers, the fewest number of feathers of any bird species in the world. Not only do they not need as many feathers because of their tiny size, but fewer feathers also keep them more lightweight for easier flight.

An average hummingbird’s heart rate is more than 1,200 beats per minute. In comparison, a human's average heart rate is only 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest.

Hummingbirds have no sense of smell but have very keen eyesight.

Hummingbirds lay the smallest eggs of all birds. Their eggs measure less than 1/2 inch long but may represent as much as 10 percent of the mother’s weight at the time the eggs are laid. A hummingbird egg is smaller than a jelly bean!


This year at our garden club’s plant sale, I bought two Rose of Sharon seedlings.  And, promptly planted them in the ground, side by side, somewhat intertwined (I wanted them to think they were one plant).  Both have done very well and this fall they’ve bloomed.  Both were supposed to be white and I was expecting them to look like this


However, this is what I got -


Fine, I like purple.

And, this


I’ve never seen a white one quite like this.

Rose of Sharon or Althea grows very well here.  It likes our summers and winters.  They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.  The leaves are edible as are the flowers.  The plant is being studied for its ability to lower blood pressure and it contains vitamin C and other antioxidants. 

We’re still having summer though the temperatures have dropped to the low 90’s and this morning at dark-thirty it was 68° outside.  That’s like kind of coolish (for us anyway).

 


14 Sep 2022

6 comments:

  1. How I envy you the hummingbirds. Here if we get a fleeting glimpse we run about alerting the neighbors to check.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am on a spring and fall migratory track plus a summer habitat, all for ruby throated, which are the only hummers we have. The summer group are viciously territorial. One fellow we called little hitler sat on a wire from which he could monitor the front and the back feeder and drive off interlopers. The migratory birds shared the feeder; that ring around the flower holes was always shoulder to shoulder. It's a long way to South American from NE Ohio and everyone got as much nutrition as it could hold. They would hover in front of our eyes when a feeder emptied! More food! More food!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love hummers AND Rose of Sharon flowers, so this was an excellent post!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I didn't know any of that about hummingbirds..my son and dil have about 15 feeders and their back yard is a hummingbird paradise..it's so cool.

    ReplyDelete
  5. How lovely to have the hummingbirds!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for this wonderful post, I want to use this opportunity to share about My life how I strunggled with Hiv/Aids Disease before the Lord Jesus in my life as a candle light in the darkness. You showed me the meaning of faith with your words. I know that even when I cried all day thinking about how to recover, you were not sleeping, you were dear to me. I contacted the herbal center Dr Itua, who lived in West Africa. A friend of mine here in Hamburg is also from Africa. She told me about African herbs but I was nervous. I am very afraid when it comes to Africa because I heard many terrible things about them because of my Christianity. god for direction, take a bold step and get in touch with him in the email and then move to WhatsApp, he asked me if I can come for treatment or I want a delivery, I told him I wanted to know him I buy ticket in 2 ways to Africa To meet Dr. Itua, I went there and I was speechless from the people I saw there. Patent, sick people. Itua is a god sent to the world, I told my pastor about what I am doing, Pastor Bill Scheer. We have a real battle beautifully with Spirit and Flesh. Adoration that same night. He prayed for me and asked me to lead. I spent 2 weeks and 2 days in Africa at Dr Itua Herbal Home. After the treatment, he asked me to meet his nurse for the HIV test when I did it. It was negative, I asked my friend to take me to another nearby hospital when I arrived, it was negative. I was overwhite with the result, but happy inside of me. We went with Dr. Itua, I thank him but I explain that I do not have enough to show him my appreciation, that he understands my situation, but I promise that he will testify about his good work. Thank God for my dear friend, Emma, I know I could be reading this now, I want to thank you. And many thanks to Dr. Itua Herbal Center. He gave me his calendar that I put on my wall in my house. Dr. Itua can also cure the following diseases, HIV, Herpes, Neuromuscular Diseases , Hepatitis B, Inflammatory Liver, Diabetes,Inflammatory bowel disease ,Fibromyalgia, recover your ex. You can contact him by email or drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com, ..www.drituaherbalcenter.com .. He is a good doctor, talk to him kindly. I'm sure he will also listen to you.

    ReplyDelete