A few weeks ago, we went to Lake Hope State Park to watch hummingbirds get banded. If you've ever seen a hummingbird, you must wonder how big is the band? Not very! They're soo tiny!! I've never in my life seen that many hummingbirds in one area! They were all over the damn place! My niece and I each got the amazing opportunity to hold one - it was one of the coolest animal moments in my life. Right up there with watching a lioness chase down a zebra!
Something I learned - female hummers will have up to 2 nests. She will develop the contents of the egg (think of a yolk) before developing the actual shell. She will develop the shell of the egg within 24 hours of delivery. I guess its so she doesn't get slowed down!
Lake Hope Website:
http://www.lakehopestatepark.com/ Here are some of the pics:
4 Hummingbirds hitting the feeder
Hovering at the feeder
A male ruby-throat takes a break at the feeder.
Using baby diaper pins to hold the bands in place. Allen Chartier banded approx. 28 hummers in about 1.5 hours.
A possibly pregnant female.
My little friend in my hand. She was there for about a nano-second before she was gone.
(Yes, that is the Michigan watch I'm wearing
)
An innovative way to attract the hummers for hand-feeding. Using the red of the McDonald's cup as a lure. The actual feeder is a floral water holder with red pipe-cleaner used to attract them.
Regarding our military: "If you can't stand behind them, stand in front of them."
RIP Bo. You were an amazing man; it is because of you, I am the Michigan fan I am today.
