Information Pages

Sunday, September 22, 2013

A Reader's Request

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Often I receive emails from our readers asking me to write about various topics, and I wish I had time to do all of them. I do want you to know that I read EVERY email, and respond to each of them.

Anthem Opinions makes every attempt to diversify our topics, because we believe that life is a precious gift; that there are so many aspects of it that should be enjoyed; and that there is a great deal of life available to all of us outside the walls of the Sun City Anthem community.

...at the same time, we also look within those walls, trying to look at what others might see...yet rarely reflect on long enough to appreciate it !
...and today is one of those days !

About a week ago I received an email from one of our readers, Fran Regan, who loves nature every bit as much as I do.

...and Fran, this one's for you !

It's about something that most of us see now and then, and in almost 100% of the time; when we do, we just stop dead in our tracks and stare in awe, while we allow this wonder of nature to go about its business of "survival". 
I'm talking about a...

Hummingbird


I can't think of a better example of something so special that comes in such a small package !

Hummingbirds weigh as much as a penny and are one of the smallest species of birds whose length rarely exceeds 3 inches. 

There are various species, but the one that is most prevalent here is the "black-chinned hummingbird".

The adult male has a black face and chin, a glossy purple throat band, and a dark forked tail.


The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch.


These tiny wonders are migratory, and spend the winters in Mexico; so if you see one, enjoy it now, because they'll shortly be off to a warmer climate.
What makes a hummingbird so fascinating is that it's the only bird that can fly backwards !

Why are they called "Humming"...birds"?

...because of the humming sound created by their beating wings, which sometimes sounds like bees or other insects...

...and amazingly, those wings flutter so quickly that they can fly at speeds up to 34 mph.  Depending on the species, the wings can flutter from 12 to 80 times PER SECOND.

Because they're so tiny, they are one of God's most delicate creatures.

When they sleep, their hearts beat at 1/15 of their normal metabolic rate, literally placing them in a hibernation-like state each night; allowing them to conserve energy for the following day's search for food.

...and they eat like "pigs"....consuming up to 10-12 times their body weight in nectar each day....over a short period time (about 15% of their day), while they spend the other 85% perching in a shrub sleeping and digesting it.
(Makes you wonder if seniors going to buffets are their direct descendants)
Like humans, they love sweets...and their definition of "sweet" is in the form of nectar...from flowers. 

...and over the millions of years, their beaks have developed long enough that they can reach inside the flower to get the sweet goody they crave.
When hummingbirds feed on nectar, the bill is usually opened only slightly, allowing the tongue to dart out and into the interior of the flower.

...but they know that some flowers are better than others, and will reject those that have less than a 10% sugar content.

...and so, they meet their needs for protein, amino acids, and minerals by consuming insects and spiders. 

They are also very territorial.  Once they find a good feeding place, they will often fight off other hummingbirds for complete dominance !

Here's a tip about where they hang out...

Many plants pollinated by hummingbirds produce flowers shaded in red, orange, and pink.

So....now that you know more than you'll ever want to know about hummingbirds...enjoy this video to examine them in action....

It was sent to us from Fran Regan...and Fran, we thank you for making us appreciate the beauty of something we see...yet often take for granted.
Got a topic you want us to explore?

Send us an email at scaopinions@gmail.com.

We'll do our best to share it with our readers.

Dick Arendt


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