Thursday, August 8, 2013

Did you know?

Did you know that a hummingbirds heart, when at rest on a branch, is beating 400 beats per minute.  When flying, it beats 1600 beats per minute.  And when it rests at night they go into a kinda of hibernation mode and the heart slows down to 4 beats per minute.  They need to have nourishment at least every 15 minutes, and they eat bugs for the protein they need.  They are amazing little souls aren't they?

Since I started putting out bird seed, suet and moved my hummingbird feeder, I am bird central.  Holy cow!  Even the doves are landing in the backyard and taking dust baths.  In fact I've seen quite a few of them fluffing out and stirring up the dirt in the back yard.  It's fun to watch, but I'd rather have grass back there.  Sigh....maybe someday again.


Meanwhile back at the (ranch) I am experiencing a life of dog hair, slobber and dirt.  Ack!

Hasn't been real hot, just in the nineties, and it's actually supposed to get into the 60's tonight.  Whoa, is fall coming early this year?  I don't believe it for a sec.  We'll have one more really hot spell before that happens, well, at least that is my prediction.


14 comments:

Rae said...

Hummingbirds are sweet little birds and those facts are amazing. Only 90's - sounds hot to me. Anything above 80 degrees and I am uncomfortable.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Feed them and they will come! I am starting to look forward to fall. I know it's early, but this heat is just too much.

TexWisGirl said...

glad the birds are enjoying your place!

105 here yesterday. 103 expected today (but that's what they said yesterday, too.) :)

Debbie said...

a very different look for you here today, i like it!!

i wish the hummers would come beat here, i am not seeing many this year.

get a bird bath or just put out an old dish with water. the birds will really appreciate it!!

CDH said...

Hummers are amazing little birds. And they cant fly back wards! Their wings "flap" in a figure 8 motion too! Amazing. Love birds in the back yard. I even feed the quail in the yard in the winter. The cats and dogs leave things alone in the yard, but outside the yard its all fair game. Mama's birds! :)

Jeanne said...

VERY INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THOSE HUMMERS! WISH WE WERE BACK IN THE 90'S. IT HAS BEEN OVER 100 EVERY DAY THIS WEEK... WAY TO HOT!

Rose said...

We have saw the special on hummingbirds a couple times and enjoyed it both times. They are amazing little creatures.

Anonymous said...

Interesting facts about the hummers. I haven't seen any here at our new home.
We are having more rain today and it's still hot/humid.
I welcome Autumn!

Catherine said...

I've yet to see a humming bird in real life. Hopefully one day!!
xo Catherine

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Don't have dog hairs, but I have plenty of cat hairs here at my ranch!

Didn't know all that about the hummers. I love to see them buzzing around my flowers.

I like your new blog look!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

From 1600 beats per minute to 4 beats per minute...that's simply amazing...

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Amazing creatures, they are. and NOT HOT in the 90's??.. I guess it's all relative :)

simply bev said...

I love watching hummingbirds and hope to one day capture a photo of them that I really like. As for the dog hair, my dog is getting ready to blow his coat for the 2nd time this year. It'll be layers of fur everywhere!

S. Etole said...

The birds have been scarce this summer. Hopefully as fall approaches they will return.