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| Gorgeted Woodstar Hummingbird |
This week we take a look at one of our favorite design inspirations:
HUMMINGBIRDS
We know we aren’t alone in
our fascination with this wonderfully colorful bird and share some of what we
learned as we dug deeper into the bird’s history.
Found only in the western
hemisphere, hummingbirds received their name because their beating wings are heard as a hum by the human ear.
The flapping rate of their wings ranges from 50 to 200 times per second, which allows them to fly at speeds exceeding 34 mph. As a result they can easily fly backwards or upside down and often are seen performing exquisite aerial dances.
The flapping rate of their wings ranges from 50 to 200 times per second, which allows them to fly at speeds exceeding 34 mph. As a result they can easily fly backwards or upside down and often are seen performing exquisite aerial dances.
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| Ruby-Throated Hummingbird |
The smallest of the species, the Bee Hummingbird weighs less than a penny, feeds on nectar and the occasional insect and beats its wings an amazing 80 times per second.
Naturalists have catalogued over three hundred species, and it is believed that not all have been discovered yet.
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| Male Violet-crowned Wood Nymph |
Called "flower
kissers," by Brazilians the iridescent birds are considered gifts from the
gods by the Native Americans. A
multitude of legends appear in Native American culture regarding these
effervescent, minuscule birds.
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| Male Tufted Coquette |
A Pueblo legend tells of an enraged demon who after losing a bet with the sun, spewed lava and set the earth on fire.
A hummingbird flew high into the clouds and brought back rain
and saved all the living creatures and the earth itself.
The bird dashed through a rainbow
on its return to save Earth and the bright colorful arc became part of the
hummingbird's feathers forever.
Mojave lore speaks of a time
when people lived underground in darkness. The natives sent a hummingbird up to
search for light. The hummer led them along a twisted path high above and into
the sun lit world we reside in today.
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| Hummingbird Fairy by deviant Evelar |
First butterflies marked out a room, then flower petals fell on the ground to make a carpet.
Then spiders spun webs to make a bridal pathway.
And then the sun sent down brilliant rays of light, which caused the tiny groom to
glow with dazzling reds and greens.
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| Purple-Throsted Woodstar |
When they hover, ever so briefly in the
sunlight, hummingbirds do indeed, bring to the imagination images of rainbows,
jewels and the realm of fairies.
To attract hummingbird to a garden, plant one
or more of these lovely blooms: Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Trumpet Vines,
Fuchsia or Columbine. As hummingbirds feed from flowers, pollen falls on their
beaks and heads and they carry it to the next flower they visit. A hungry
hummer may pollinate between 1,000 to 3,000 flowers a day.
Late summer is the peak of
the hummingbird season and is a magical time for watching the colorful birds.
They visit feeders in swarms. They are preparing for the long journey to warmer
climates.
They must consume enormous amount of food, so keep those feeders
stocked and…
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| Fairy and Hummingbirds by Jody Bergsma |
“SPARKLE THE WORLD”
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| Happy Hummingbird Barrette by Kirks Folly |
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