Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Seldom do we get to see the substantial wings of a hummingbird. Here are some statistics:

Average length: 3.5 inches (8.9 cm)
Average weight: 1/8 ounce (3.1 g)
Body temperature: 105°-108°F (40.5°-42.2°C)
Wing beats: 40-80 per second, average about 52
Respiration: 250 per minute
Heart rate: 250 beats/min resting; 1200 beats/min feeding
Flight speed: 30 mph (48 kph) normal; 50 mph (80 kph) escape; 63 mph (101 kph) dive

The strength needed to propel those wings in order to hover is phenomenal. Truly one of nature's wonders. The wispy blur of the wings and the slight sound of air in turmoil is part and parcel to the hummingbird but in reality, the seemingly fragile hummingbird is quite an athlete.

14 comments:

shabby girl said...

Incredible picture!
Where I live in AZ is the hummingbird capital of the U.S. Twice a year they migrate through our area in great numbers. Amazing little creatures!

Karrie said...

Great Picture!!!
I love those amazing animals :) I have 2 feeders and some flowers in the garden they love. They are truly one of Gods amazing creatures. Have a great day Dan :)

Dan Felstead said...

Shabby girl...WOW, I did not know that Arizona was the hummingbird capital of the U.S. I need to visit out there again. I am enthralled by hummingbirds and love to photograph them. I look forward to each summer having the opportunity to witness their return to the area.

In a former life, I made many business trips to the Phoenix/Tuscon area. Visited Sedona as well and I fell in love with Sedona...so different than southern Indiana!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Karrie,
Thanks for your comment. I first became aware of these amazing little creatures years ago while visiting a state park. We were having lunch in a restaurant at the park and by each window was a feeder. The show they put on was amazing...I did not even finish my lunch I was so fixated on the hummingbirds!

Dan

boneman said...

....and, incredibly fun to paint.
Well, once I get them to sit still long enough to get the brush stroke on them.
...no....

But, I did paint some down closer to you. At Nashville and the TCSteele's paintout in the Fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbTfHwcJVC8

now, talk about a hard thing to do, too. When I click my shutter button on the camera, it doesn't immediately open the shutter.
I must have taken a GB of 'air' pictures just to retrieve the two humminbird pix shown in thhe video.
Lil beggers ARE fast!

Dan Felstead said...

Boneman,
I watched your video and your photography looks great! I also liked the music...very catchy. I did not know you are quite the artist.

Dan

Heather said...

Oh, Dan, what a wonderful picture to have captured. I can only think of the patience that it takes to wait on this find...maybe some day, I can have a hint of that patience :o).

I love hummingbirds. They've always brought a sense of awe to marvel at them. Precious and so tiny little creatures.

Great find!

Dan Felstead said...

Heather,
I don't know if it is patience or just a willingness to take tons of pictures...as boneman says below, I threw many pictures in the delete file while trying to get the one clear picture of these fleeting little creatures!

Dan

Dani said...

Lovely. I love hummingbirds. What a great thing- very interesting to see the actual statistics. Amazing bird.

Dan Felstead said...

Dani,

Thanks for the comment...they are my favorite birds as well. I also enjoy woodpeckers. I am trying to capture an image of one now. He has been showing up and is huge! But by the time I get my camera...he is gone. Sooner or later, I will catch him if he hangs around long enough.

Dan

Anonymous said...

Hummingbirds were always my favorite type of bird.

My Grandpa got me a gold hummingbird charm once at a tiny little town festival we went to every year. I wore it on a bracelet.

Years later, after he had died, we were way up North in Michigan, on vacation, and had stopped to eat at a restaurant we stopped at every year. The owner knew our family by name.

I went to wash my hands and my bracelet broke, sending the charm down the drain. My sister ran to get my my mom, while I guarded the sink. An older lady helped me guard it - she had seen the whole thing.

As luck would have it, there was a plumber having dinner with his family and their table was nearby. He heard the commotion, and came into the ladies room, assessed the situation, went to his truck to get a tool, and rescued my charm.

I have never worn the charm again, for fear of losing it, and that happened about fourteen years ago.

Dan Felstead said...

Jen,
Thanks for the story of your hummingbird charm, I am so glad you were able to retrieve it. I once lost a wedding ring in a rest stop on the Washington DC beltway but the story is not nearly as interesting as yours! Thanks for stopping by.

Dan

shabby girl said...

Dan,
Sierra Vista, AZ is actually the hummingbird capital, down by the border. Kartchner Caverns, about 30 miles north of here, has a wonderful hummingbird garden that is loaded with them. A fantastic place to visit!

Dan Felstead said...

Shabby Girl,

Thanks for the heads up...I am going to Google Katchner Carverns.

Dan