Zoom! Zoom! Ka-Boom! Aggression rages outside my kitchen window – thanks to one particular alpha male. With all his speed and might, this guy slams his body into another male. Zoom! He’s back to his guard post. This mighty hummingbird perches protectively on a chain that supports a sweet nectar feeder. A few seconds later, he spies approaching invaders and darts off to give chase. I watch as other hummingbirds attempt over and over again to reach the feeder, but alpha-bird will have none of that. I sigh, “Come on guys. Why can’t we all get along?”
#1 – Love Those Hummingbirds
In order to learn more about this hummingbird’s aggressive behavior, I searched the internet for information. From the World Of Hummingbirds and How To Enjoy Hummingbirds sites I learned:
♥ Hummingbirds are the tiniest birds in the world and they are also the smallest of all animals that have a backbone.
♥ Because hummingbirds can rotate their wings in a circle, they are the only birds that can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways and hover in mid air.
♥ The bright flashing-colored feathers of the hummingbird’s neck is called a Gorget.
♥ A hummingbird’s brain is 4.2% of its body weight, the largest proportion in the bird kingdom.
♥ Hummingbirds are very smart and they can remember every flower they have been to, and how long it will take a flower to refill.
♥ Hummingbirds can hear better and see farther than humans, but they have nearly no sense of smell.
♥ A hummingbird’s heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute.
♥ A hummingbird baby is generally smaller than a penny.
♥ Most hummingbirds die in the first year of life, but those that survive have an average life span of 5 years.
♥ Hummingbirds are very territorial and will perch in trees, vines or bushes, between feedings to watch the area . . . and will attack other birds that might try to feed at their food source.
#2 – No Limitations
In another inspirational video from TED, activist Caroline Casey “tells the story of her extraordinary life” and “asks us all to move beyond the limits we may think we have.” Worth watching.
#3 – A Can You Can Hang
This repurposing idea from Brian Jewett is beyond clever. By attaching cleaned paint cans to a wall, he creates multipurpose hooks. A garment can be hung over the can, stuff can be stored in the can (I’m thinking keys), and something, like a scarf, can be hung on the can’s handle! Directions for this project can be found on Instructables. These can hooks would look great in a garage, an artist’s workshop, a child’s bedroom or playroom, etc.! There’s no end to creative ideas!
#4 – Yosemite HD
The talented combination of Sheldon Neill and Colin Delahanty, two young videographers, brings us this under-four-minute incredibly beautiful video of Yosemite National Park. Yosemite HD, a high definition, time lapse video, depicts the majesty of nature. Even if you’ve seen Yosemite with your own eyes, you’ll still want to see it through their eyes!
#5 – Every Moment
Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.
Thomas Merton
Enjoy every moment of your weekend!
What about this? 