Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are so amazing.  Some statistics (from Wikipedia):

1. They weigh about 3 grams = .106 oz (a little over 1/10th of an ounce)
2. They are about 3″ long
3. The males are slightly smaller than the females, and have a shorter beak
4. They spend most of the winter in southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies
5. In the fall, they become very territorial, defending their food supply.  They must add weight to their little bodies to have enough stored energy for the 500-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
6. Average lifespan is 3-5 years
7. They have 940 or more feathers on average, more than any other bird (based on unit of feathers per body weight)
8. The throat area is not actually red.  The area is dark, but the feathers are faceted in a way that they appear dazzling red when light hits it at the right angle.

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And a good look at their amazing iridescence:

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We’ve noticed them spending a lot of time “resting” in the branches of the crab apple tree.

I think they’re really defending the feeders.  Either way, they’re doing whatever they can to eat a lot of calories and resting to conserve energy to prepare their bodies for their long migration south.

–Sue

We set attendance records for opening day:  119,145.  Now, considering weekends will likely go over 200,000 per day, I shouldn’t be complaining, but that’s still a lot of people!

I went with my friend Margaret (after dropping my Aunt Bert off at the airport who was bummed that she was leaving Mpls on the first day of the fair).  Bert and I had a wonderful week, did some sewing, a little lunch, a visit to a quilt shop, played a lot of cards.

Margaret with her ribbons (that’s her hockey-playing grandson, plus an original needlepoint tea cozy made to match a special teapot):

My three little wall quilts and my quilt on a stick were passed over, although I know the judges really WANTED to give them all ribbons!  My bees came through for me though; I entered them in the Bee & Honey division, so they’re in the Ag-Hort building.

I’m going back next week and will take lots more pictures; this was a quick trip to see how the “important” quilts did — Margaret’s and mine!

This hexagon quilt was a personal favorite of mine so far (I’ll note the quilter’s/artist’s name next trip).  Besides being beautiful, I find it very restful and calming, something we can all use more of!

A number of my other friends won ribbons as well, and I will post about them later in the week.  Also, I’m feeling a repeat of “What Did Sue Eat at the Fair” coming on.  I saw so many yummy things Thursday, but Margaret and I were pretty sensible, having Walking Tacos and Iced Lattes.  Capital letters…that’s how good they were!

–Sue

First, a blink — or maybe it’s a wink — from what I think is a juvenile male:

A silhouette as a hummer flies through the crab apples.  Doesn’t he look like a bomber, dropping apples?

This male is giving me the raspberry.  I love it when I catch their tongue out.

Maybe I’ll just keep the blinds closed today.

–Sue

Shortly thereafter, this male showed up.  He’s my favorite!  He sat up straight and posed for me!  Check out those delicate little feathers around his legs:

His throat only appears red if the sunlight hits those throat feathers directly.  This is a crummy picture, but you get a better look at the red:

There was a bee bothering him, and he reared back a bit and put his wings into gear:

It’s a good day if I can spend some time watching and photographing the hummers.  And today will be equally fun — I’ll be at the Minnesota State Fair!  Gotta go and put on my sensible walking shoes and grab my camera.

–Sue

I remember my Aunt Sally (many years ago) draping a wet, lightweight towel (maybe a feed sack type dish towel) around her neck to help keep cool.  I mentioned this to DH last month when he was doing some work in an un-airconditioned house.  He tried it and he said it did help.  I’ve also read a suggestion to keep a second towel in the fridge in a plastic bag so you can swap towels from time to time to stay cool.

By the way, this is post # 498 — in two more posts it will be the 500th Post Give-Away!

–Sue

PS:  Maybe the frosty crab apples are working!  It’s been dark and thunderstorm-y this morning, and at 10:45 am it’s only 70 degrees.  Just hope the temps don’t shoot up and breed more storms.

Maybe it’s because they have personality.

Or character.

I’m pretty sure the Monarch thinks this flower is just as beautiful as it was earlier in the season.

–Sue

So when you’re out admiring the flowers, remember to spend some time looking down at the grass!

–Sue

Sometimes I would get a brighter flash of blue, then it was gone.

Finally I got a good look at the “blue” top side:

After searching high and low on the ‘net for blue butterflies, to no avail, I finally stumbled across this guy’s identity:  a Red-Spotted Purple butterfly.

–Sue

Most interesting to me was that long orange beetle in the upper left-hand corner.  I had never seen one before, and they were everywhere.  Oh, how I love the Internet!!!  I discovered they are Goldenrod Soldier Beetles, and they are actually desired by gardeners because they eat aphids and the eggs of undesirable sorts of insects.  There are ones in different colors, and they are named Soldier Beetles because the back resembles the British “Red Coats”.  Here are two of them, one with its wings open:

I thought this photo of a bumblebee really brings home how un-aerodynamic bees truly are (“Do these stripes make my butt look big?”):

That’s it for now.  Go ahead and shudder, but yes, I have more bugs for later!

–Sue

What I am struck by, though, are the wings.

Do you suppose the first person to make lace had been sitting by a stream on a lazy summer afternoon, admiring dragonfly wings?

–Sue