Flying Jewels
Fact
The only bird that can hover in mid-air
and the only bird that can fly backwards.
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5-13 cm (3-5in) range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12-90 times per second (depending on the species), and are also the only group of birds able to fly backwards. Their English name derives from the characteristic hum made by their rapid wing beats. They can fly at speeds exceeding 15 m/s (54 km/h, 34 mi/h).
Source Wikipedia
Wanting to attract hummingbirds to our back yard by providing natural nectar from flowers, well, it’s not so easy with my not so green thumb! However, with a little help from a bright red hummingbird feeder from Lowe’s it is very easy. With a mixture of sugar and water added to the feeder and a little patience you will be rewarded with a most amazing "hover"show. Here are a few snaps I managed to capture.
Buzz, Drink, Hover, Repeat
To make sugar water for hummingbirds, mix one part white granulated sugar to four parts regular tap water. Boil for two minutes and cool. Use your feeder’s instructions for adding the water and keeping clean.
The Hummingbird
by Harry Kemp
The sunlight speaks. And it’s voice is a bird:
It glitters half-guessed half seen half-heard
Above the flower bed. Over the lawn...
A flashing dip and it is gone.
And all it lends to the eye is this--
A sunbeam giving the air a kiss.
Thank you so much for your visit. I would love for you to leave a comment so I will know you stopped by.
