Time to say goodbye for another year.

We learned how to attract hummingbirds this summer and they are a joy to watch. They are the only bird that can fly in any direction, i.e. frontwards, backwards, sideways in either direction, upwards and downwards, as well as hovering in place like a helicopter. I have tried to capture these amazing little critters on camera and have been fortunate to get a few good images to share. Their wings beat 4800 times per minute and their heart beats an astonishing 1260 times per minute. This rapid wing movement creates the humming sound that gives them their name. When you are near their feeding source awaiting their arrival, you actually sense their presence through the incredible pace of their little wings, it is a sensation that literally creeps into your being before you see them. And of course they are very difficult to photograph because they move so rapidly in any direction. They are wary of humans, but if you dress appropriately, you can get within 6-10 feet of them while they are eating at a feeder.

Hummers have to eat their weight every day to maintain their ability to have so much energy. That sounds astounding until you realize that they weigh less than an ounce. When they migrate, they have to double their weight from 3 grams to over 6 grams to sustain them on their journey. They are truly an amazing creation of the creator and a thing of beauty to behold. Sadly, we are nearing the end of their summer migration and it is time for them to fly south for the winter. Most of the ruby throated hummingbirds that spend their summers in North Carolina will winter in Mexico  and down as far as Panama in Central America. Amazingly, it is likely that they will return to join us next summer. I saw little "Jeannie" this morning and hope to see her for a few more days before they take flight.

Here are some migration basics from the hummingbirds.net website.

"Each hummingbird species has its own migration strategy, and it's incorrect to think of "hummingbirds" as a single type of animal, all alike. This article will discuss Ruby-throated migration, because it's likely that more people see that species than all the others in North America combined, and its dynamics are similar to other species, although the dates and locations vary. An exception is Anna's Hummingbird, which typically does not migrate but may wander up- and downslope following seasonal food resources.
Banding studies suggest that individual birds may follow a set route year after year, often arriving at the same feeder on the same day. We do not know if any individual bird follows the same route in both directions, and there are some indications that they do not.

Why migrate?

 Some songbird species have adapted completely to our variable North American climates, in part by becoming vegetarians in winter, and don't migrate. But hummingbirds are carnivores (nectar is just the fuel to power their flycatching activity), and depend on insects that are not abundant in subfreezing weather, so most of them must retreat back "home" to Central America in the winter or risk starvation. A few Ruby-throated remain along the Gulf coast each winter instead of continuing to Central America, perhaps because they are too old or sick to make another trans-Gulf flight or too young (from very late nests) to have had time to grow fat and strong enough to migrate; their survival chances depend on the severity of each particular winter, and many perish in unusually cold years. Another small population winters in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Northward Migration

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds winter between southern Mexico and northern Panama. Since hummingbirds lead solitary lives and neither live nor migrate in flocks, an individual bird may spend the winter anywhere in this range where the habitat is favorable, but probably returns to the same location each winter. Ruby-throats begin moving north as early as January, and by the end of February they are at the northern coast of Yucatan, gorging on insects and spiders to add a thick layer of fat in preparation for flying to the U.S. Some will skirt the Gulf of Mexico and follow the Texas coast north, while most apparently cross the Gulf, typically leaving at dusk for a nonstop flight of up to 500 miles, which takes 18-22 hours depending on the weather. Although hummingbirds may fly over water in company of mixed flocks of other bird species, they do not "hitchhike" on other birds. Some hummingbirds land on offshore oil rigs or fishing boats to rest. Individual birds may make landfall anywhere between southern Texas and central Florida. Before departing, each bird will have nearly doubled its weight, from about 3.25 grams to over 6 grams; when it reaches the U.S. Gulf coast, it may weigh only 2.5 grams. It's also possible that a few Ruby-throats island-hop across the Caribbean and enter the U.S. through the Florida Keys.
Males depart Yucatan first, followed about 10 days later by the first females. But the migration is spread over a three-month period, which prevents a catastrophic weather event from wiping out the entire species. This means that a few birds will arrive at any location very early (the dots on the migration map), but the bulk of the population will follow later, so you may not see your first hummingbird for several more weeks. Each individual has its own internal map and schedule, and "your" birds may arrive early, late, or anywhere within a two-month span.

Once in North America, migration proceeds at an average rate of about 20 miles per day, generally following the earliest blooming of flowers hummingbirds prefer. The northern limit of this species coincides with that of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; if the earliest males arrive in Canada before sufficient flowers are blooming, they raid sapsucker wells for sugar, as well as eat insects caught in the sap. The northward migration is complete by late May. Banding studies show that each bird tends to return every year to the same place it hatched, even visiting the same feeders. See the Ruby-throated migration map for the species' range and earliest arrival dates.

Southward Migration

Unlike the Rufous and other hummingbirds of the western mountains, where freezing nights are common even in summer, Ruby-throats aren't well adapted to cold temperatures; they have a tough time below the mid-20s (F), and don't enter torpor as regularly as their western cousins to conserve energy. To avoid the cold, and the scarcity of food when flowers stop blooming and insects stop flying, they go south. Some adult males start migrating south as early as mid-July, but the peak of southward migration for this species is late August and early September. By mid-September, essentially all of the Ruby-throated at feeders are migrating through from farther north, and not the same individuals seen in the summer. This is difficult to see, since they all look alike, but has been proven by banding studies. The number of birds migrating south may be twice that of the northward trip, since it includes all immature birds that hatched during the summer, as well as surviving adults.
For a hummer that just hatched, there's no memory of past migrations, only an urge to put on a lot of weight (see above) and fly in a particular direction for a certain amount of time, then look for a good place to spend the winter. Once it learns such a route, a bird may retrace it every year as long as it lives. The initial urge is triggered by the shortening length of sunlight as autumn approaches, and has nothing to do with temperature or the availability of food; in fact, hummingbirds migrate south at the time of greatest food abundance. When the bird is fat enough, it migrates. It's not necessary to take down feeders to force hummingbirds to leave, and in the fall all the birds at your feeder are already migrating anyway. If you remove your feeder, birds will just feed elsewhere, but may not bother to return to your yard the next year. I recommend continuing to maintain feeders until freezing becomes a problem.
Many people notice that adult males migrate earlier than females, because in the last month or so there may be no birds with red throats at feeders. However, remember that immature Ruby-throats of both sexes look much like their mothers. Young males often have a "5 o'clock shadow" of dark throat feathers in broken streaks, and many develop one or more red gorget feathers by the time they migrate. Immature females may have much lighter streaks in their throats, but no red.
There is evidence that fewer Ruby-throats cross the Gulf in fall than in spring, most instead following the Texas coast back into Mexico. Perhaps the hurricane season is a factor, and the genes of many birds with a tendency to fly over water were lost at sea during storms."

Things That Old Folks Learn from Children - Part II

What a joy to have the privilege of caring for two precious little boys. We learned a wealth of things when we kept Weston and Bennett last winter. We can now add to this list, as we just kept them both for another two weeks, while Mom and Dad went to the Olympics. The little one really reflects the difference that a half year makes since we last cared for them. Running instead of walking (usually away from you), jabbering instead of monosyllabic (endless streams of intelligent sounding conversation, yet unintelligible), actually pronouncing the important words in his world (doughnut, I-Pad, milk, broke, Nana, Mommy, Daddy, Poppy, etc.),  improved proficiency in operating his I-Pad, sitting at the dinner table without a high chair (actually pulling the chair out and seating himself as he requests a doughnut), all of these and more.
   It is summertime and the birds are less visible as we feed them less, but the hummingbirds were frequent visitors to our two feeders. Both of the boys stared in wonder as they watched the charming little birds dart and hover and dash away. As hummingbird appearances are of very short duration, they both excitedly called us when they spotted one through the window. Though only the female appeared during their visit, we are now getting the beautifully colored male red-throated hummingbirds this week. Sorry that Bennett missed him, maybe next time.
   It is amazing that we learned so much since their last visit. But then, there is always something new to learn. As these little guys cruise through our lives we are reminded of their parents and the footprints they have etched in our hearts. In the words of my favorite children's poet, Eugene Fields.

 "On the floor and down the hall,
   Rudely smutched upon the wall,
   There are proofs in every kind,
   Of the havoc they have wrought,
   And upon my heart you'd find
   Just such trade marks, if you sought;
   Oh how glad I am 'tis so"

Things we learned:

- Two I-Pads are essential to the keeping of the peace.(One on the charger and one working is sometimes difficult to manage)

- Curious George is, in fact, the most curious monkey in the world

- The "kingham dog and the calico cat" is still immensely enjoyed by four-year-olds even though it was written 130 years ago during Victorian times. (from 'The Duel' by Eugene Fields)

- Powdered doughnuts have replaced nutrigrain bars as the snack of choice for two year olds.

- It is totally awesome that a grand dad can still sing precious little ones to sleep after saying the Lord's Prayer with them.

- The brightest eyes in the world radiate from the faces of small children.

- Trust is earned by acts of love and transparency.

- Never try to take away an I-Pad from a sleepy child.

- A child's daybed will also accommodate a full grown grand parent beside a child, (for short periods of time)

- Four year olds can count to ten in Spanish. (72 year olds can count to 20 in Spanish)

- An impish smile with two blazing blue eyes is still very difficult to refuse.

-  Puzzles and stickers are a great alternative to continuous, monotonous children's TV programming.

- Two sleepy children are best kept apart (in separate rooms) if you ever hope to get either of them to sleep.

- Concentrating on a grandparents voice of instruction, watching a children's show on TV, and playing an app on the your Ipad simultaneously requires at least one of the inputs to be ignored.
(Guess which)

- Two year olds will take food off the plate of four year old when he is not looking.

- Four year olds will swap I-Pads when two year olds are not looking.

- Pampers can actually fall to your ankles while running away from your granddad

- Never wake a sleeping child, never

- Wrestling with two toddlers at the same time will wear an old guy out.

- Even though I don't know the answer, there really is an explanation to "why?", and little guys have every right to ask.

- Four year olds are refreshingly transparent when expressing their opinion and they expect the same honesty back from you.

- Perhaps the sweetest sound you will ever hear in your life is "Nana" or "Poppy", "I love you"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Seize the Moment

   A couple of weeks ago I dropped in to the Home Goods Store across the street from my office to make my routine check for table lamps. Somehow, during our move five years ago, one of our crystal sofa table lamps in the den was cracked near the top of the lamp and it now represents a minor safety hazard. We have both looked in numerous stores for several years to find suitable  replacements. We have seen a particular lamp style that we both love on numerous occasions, but never have we seen a pair at the same time. They are a blue and white ceramic ginger jar and they are a very well known brand. At the Home Goods Store they sell for about 20% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price. These are quality lamps that will add beauty and charm to your décor and that will last a lifetime.
   On this particular afternoon I spotted a lamp that was very similar to the style we like. It was the right manufacturer, it was blue and white ceramic but it was like a double jar instead of a single ginger jar. I called Cheryl and suggested that she may want to go by and take a look after she got off work. She agreed and we dropped in the store after eating dinner nearby. It was around 8:00 when we arrived and we discovered that the store was open until 9:30 that evening. The lamp wasn't exactly what we had been looking for and they only had one, but I suggested that maybe we should go ahead and buy it  with the hope that another would come into the store. She agreed and we decided to purchase the lamp that evening.
   As we paid for the purchase, I casually asked the checkout clerk if they had any nearby stores. She advised that indeed there were stores in Durham and in Winston-Salem also. I asked her if she could call the Winston-Salem store and see if they had the same lamp we had just purchased. She called and after a few minutes wait, she cheerfully announced that yes indeed, they had three of them.
"Can you ask them to hold one for me", I asked.
"No sir, it is against store policy to hold merchandise" she replied.
   I looked at my watch and it was 8:45, I then looked at Cheryl and said, "We can just make it if we leave right now, or I can go there in the morning." It is only about twenty-five miles on the interstate highway to the other store, so I knew we could make it in time.
"I'm tired and they won't sell out before morning, let's just go home" she said
"But Cheryl, we have looked for so long and you finally found one that you like, let's don't let the opportunity pass, let's go tonight"
"OK" she replied.
   I urged her to drive, because in another life could have easily been a NASCAR champion. I pulled up the directions on my phone and guided her down the interstate. She didn't speed but she left no prisoners behind as she sped down the interstate. The other store was just off the highway and we pulled into the parking lot with fourteen minutes to shop. She found a spot right in front and we hurried into the store. I found the matching lamp and then spotted the other two to choose from.
Cheryl came in and began looking around at other lamps. I headed for a buggy to carry the lamp in when I heard her call out to me excitedly, "David look what I found". I turned and saw a radiant smile on her face that always makes me feel good all over.
   She was holding the perfect blue and white ceramic ginger table lamp that we had searched for  several years to find. "There's two of the them." she said with animated voice.
"If you want these instead, that's what we'll do, I suppose they are more expensive than the others". I inquired.
"Of course", she said.
   I didn't care what they cost, I would have paid double to see that smile on her face. We paid out and left the store just before it closed.  Cheryl wasn't tired anymore, she was effused with energy. Each of us had a great time sharing with our best friend on the thirty minute ride home. It was a good night. I took the other lamp back to the Greensboro store the next morning.
   As I look back on the night, it occurred to me that this was more than a shopping story. It is a life story. How often do we decide to settle for less when the perfect solution is awaiting just a little bit further beyond our vision. We are limited by our own parameters that we draw from our life experiences. It only takes a couple of questions and the answers can lead us to a perfect solution to our problems that we wrestle with for days. And oh, what a sweet touch for the good Lord to have exactly what we were looking for waiting for us. Just because we were willing to venture out of our comfort zone and grasp an unexpected opportunity.

The Prize

Fits perfectly in our den.