Hummingbirds 2012

[Rattlesnake Gal]

We've only one or two left that are not eating much. You can tell this little bird is cold! Haven't spotted it today... hope it started the long trek to it's winter home.

(Sorry for the blurry picture. The windows on the porch were closed yesterday, so the screen was up and in the way.)

[Newbiesaukee]

After seeing none for 10 days, there was one at my feeder this evening. Guess I'll keep it up for stragglers.

[RLW]

Our feeder is coming down today after not viewing any hummers now for 5 days up here on Alton Mountain. Yep, it is time to wash it out good and put it into storage until next spring/summer. May they all have good & safe flights back to the south.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Attachment 6664

We've only one or two left that are not eating much. You can tell this little bird is cold! Haven't spotted it today... hope it started the long trek to it's winter home.

'Checking Wikipedia for just how long that trek is:

"In late summer to early fall they fatten up for migration. This is important because, as part of their migration, they must fly across the Gulf of Mexico. This feat is impressive, as a 500-mile, non-stop flight over water would seemingly require a caloric energy that far exceeds an adult hummingbird's body weight of 3 grams. However, researchers discovered the tiny birds can increase their body mass up to double with lean mass in preparation for their Gulf crossing. The additional mass, stored as fat, provides enough energy for the birds to achieve the flight."

A hummingbird is three grams in weight? How many aspirin tablets is that?!

But what's the big deal, anyway? I can do 500 miles sitting down!