Hummingbirds & Humboldt

We began our journey from the high desert country of eastern Oregon into the redwoods of northern California.  As usual, this particular drive inspires renewed appreciation for the diverse country that exists in each place.   From sagebrush, pine and juniper trees in the Blue Mountain Range of eastern Oregon to the majestic redwoods and countryside scenes of fern, wild poppies and rugged hills that hug the coastline of the Pacific.

Steamboat Rock

We traveled through Crescent City, the Redwood Highway and into Eureka in Humboldt County.  From there, we made our way to the town of Ferndale and into the hamlet of Petrolia, a short 30 miles away.  However this 30 miles takes an hour to drive because of a windy road with many twists and turns, often one lane to maneuver. This is a familiar drive for my husband, who was raised in this country and ranched in his later years.  It is a photographer's dream if you can find room enough to pull over to take a picture or two.  If that is not possible, I take a camera shot from a moving truck window hoping that my hand is steady enough not to cause a blurred picture.  Sometimes there is success...

At the home of our Petrolia friends, word must be out among the hummingbirds to enjoy a good nectar meal provided by several feeders set out on their porch.  Before I noticed the birds, I heard their sound - much like buzzing bees.  I was startled to see so many of these tiny birds darting from one feeder to the next creating this humming noise with their wings.  I read that they flap their wings about 80 times per second.  This is how and why they were named, the hummingbird...

 Other facts about the hummingbird are:  
                 - they can fly right, left, up, down, backwards and upside down
                 - hover - it looks like the bird is stationary but their little wings are moving so fast, you
                   cannot see them
                 - their bill is long and tapered to obtain nectar from the center of a long, tubular flower
                 - their feet used for perching only 
                 - symbolic of love and joy 

I  mentioned just a few facts about the hummingbird.  I hope you will watch this video that actually shows a hummingbird in slow motion in flight and gives you more information about this fascinating bird.  It makes a person realize how amazing this little creature of God is.  Click on this link at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPRswRWZ23Q


My next post will be in two weeks on Monday, June 19th.  Come!  Visit me at The Turn-Up Patch....