Life in the Fast Lane

In the midst of our endless election "news", it's a welcome relief to focus my attention on the birds and small mammals that share their habitat with us.

This female Rufous Hummingbird was very pleased to find a new salvia plant on the back deck table today, and I was equally pleased to see her! She's quite a contrast to the (mostly) calm, cool woodpeckers that have moved in. Just look at these figures:
-- Hummingbirds' wings beat 50-70 times per second -- that's why this one looks as if she's missing a wing!
-- Their heart rate is 250 beats/minute at rest, and can go as high as 1,260 beats per minute.
-- Hummingbirds visit an average of 1,000 flowers daily for nectar, and remember every flower they've been to and how long it will take each one to refill with nectar.

Now it's time for me to get out of my chair and get my heart rate up, inspired by this tiny creature!

(For a more artistic look at a similar scene, check out tookie's entry for today!)

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