Well, this has been a week of settling into winter. Between changing clocks back to standard time and the downpours of rain it has seemed that winter is suddenly upon us. It would also seem that our neighborhood hummingbirds are feeling the same way!
This little guy has been roosting on my Hummingbird feeder all week. I open the curtains in the morning and there he is. On my day off I sat and watched as he (looking very grandfatherly) defended his position on the feeder and chased others away. Each day he has been there and soon I am sure I will have a name for him if he keeps this up.
Did you know:
Migration: Most, but not all, hummingbirds migrate south for winter. The Anna’s hummingbird stays along the West Coast year-round. You won’t interfere with hummingbirds’ migration by leaving food out for them; they know to fly south as the days get shorter.
Eating: Hummingbirds use their tongues to lap up nectar and sugar water at about 13 licks per second.
Food: It isn’t necessary to dye sugar water. Feeders with red part do the trick. Insects and small spiders are also an important part of a hummingbird’s diet. While red blooms draw them in, these sweet-toothed fliers will gladly feed from any color flower that produces nectar.
Predators: Besides other birds like hawks, hummers have to watch out for cats, spiders, snakes and even frogs.
Source: Birds and Bloom Magazine at www.birdsandblooms.com “Hummingbird myths revealed”
If you don’t have a Hummingbird feeder up and you still want to watch a feeder, tune into the AllaboutBirds Webcams by CLICKING HERE. Sorry but the Hummingbird feeder is not very active right now but the other cams are active and fascinating.
Quote of the week:
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir
Happenings This Week:
Saturday, November 7: Historic Fox Theatre Restorations will be screening “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Fox Theatre in downtown Centralia. In this 1952 drama/romance, the life of celebrated American writer Harry Street (Gregory Peck) flashes back before his eyes as he lies dying from a wound suffered at the foot of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. Admission for the movie is $8 per person, $7 for members, and $20 per family (three to four persons). For more information, call the Fox Theatre at (360) 623-1103. All proceeds from the event benefit the restoration of the Historic Fox Theatre.
Tuesday, November 10th and November 24th: The Nut Ladies are back this year selling their famous variety of nuts. 9 to 11 am, both days, here in The Gathering Place. Proceeds benefit the outreach programs for St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.
Weather:
The forecasters are mixed right now. Old Farmers Almanac says sunny today and tomorrow and then turning cooler and wetter. The Weather Underground website says rain tomorrow and Sunday turning to sun for a few days and then back to rain. I guess the best advice is just be prepared. Have a great week.
