Even as a kid I never thought about loving an animal. But one day we picked up Buddy. He was placed on my lap in the back seat and was driven to his new home with his new family. By the time we got out of the car, I was enraptured. Buddy is gone now, but I’ve developed an affection for another species, the hummingbirds that live around us. The Pacific Northwest is at the outermost end of their range, and many go south in the winter. Unbelievably millions of hummingbirds migrate to and from Mexico each year, about 500 miles across the Gulf, flying 18 to 22 hours at up to 25 miles per hour! This is remarkable, given that the species uses so much energy. At rest it breathes 250 times a minute; its heart rate is twice that. It sips half its weight in sugar every day - mostly nectar from flowers but also sugar water from feeders.
Thanks David! I share your love of hummingbirds and of all life on the planet with the possible exception of some of us homo sapiens who seem intent on destroying life while at the same time claiming to be "pro-life". Since we have more power than most other life forms to affect it we therefore have the responsibility to preserve it for the sake of all life. Thanks for pointing out the connection!
Very sad! And not necessary or inevitable if people cared. Many people do care, and are trying to save nature and its creatures, but not enough. Too many greedy people, and greedy corporations.
Thanks David! I share your love of hummingbirds and of all life on the planet with the possible exception of some of us homo sapiens who seem intent on destroying life while at the same time claiming to be "pro-life". Since we have more power than most other life forms to affect it we therefore have the responsibility to preserve it for the sake of all life. Thanks for pointing out the connection!
As overwhelming and depressing as it is sometimes, I always appreciate your messages. A great picture of Buddy!
hummingbirds are fantastic. great column
Very sad! And not necessary or inevitable if people cared. Many people do care, and are trying to save nature and its creatures, but not enough. Too many greedy people, and greedy corporations.