
LITTLE WINSTON is back. He sits on a feeder hanging from the crepe myrtle in my front yard. He is a hummingbird, and that is fortunate. For if he were a squirrel, his life would be in grave danger. Winston is a ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), to be exact, the most widespread species of its kind in North America and often the only one folks in the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada ever encounter. That is because it's the lone type that breeds in these parts during warm months before migrating an astonishing distance to Central America to spend the winter grooving to merengue and salsa music. I can tell that Winston is a male thanks to the iridescent red cravat he wears on his tiny throat. Females sport white ones. Other than that, the sexes are practically identical: Both are around 3 inches long, weigh about 1/10 to 2/10 ounce, and have metallic green feathers. Beating their wings some 50 times per second, they mesmerize us with gymnastic feats, flying up, down, forward, sideways, or backward then hovering or darting off at more than 30 mph. Thus, whenever I watch news reports covering F-16 fighter jets locking radars on UFO's doing incredible things, I suspect the pilots are merely chasing these amazing creatures. They'll ask, excitedly, "Are you guys down there seeing this?" How embarrassing.
MAKE YOUR GARDEN A HUMMINGBIRD MAGNET
Bu hikaye Southern Living dergisinin June - July 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Southern Living dergisinin June - July 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

It's Pasta Night, Y'all!
A little bit Southern, a little bit Italian, and ready in just 30 minutes

MAKING MY WAY IN Savannah
This historic Georgia destination welcomes around 15 million tourists each year. Among them are visitors like me who have disabilities and unique travel challenges. Thankfully, the Hostess City of the South lives up to its nickname

the MAGIC of MANATEES
Meeting Florida's most loved marine mammals on their own turf-er, surf Admire manatees at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Making Room To Grow
A women-led team helps a young family reconfigure their 100-year-old Birmingham house to accommodate their evolving needs

Welcome to the Neighborhood
Get to know Oklahoma's vibrant capital city by exploring each of its distinctive boroughs

The Mystery of the Whataburger
When the talk of the town leaves you hungry for updates

REINVENTING THE WHEEL
Designer Andrew Howard summons every color under the sun in this merrily maximalist abode in St. Simons Island, Georgia

Brights of Spring
Nashville's Cheekwood in Bloom festival welcomes new growth in Technicolor style

The New Rules of Neutrals
From vibrant hues to softer tones, shades of blue and green are replacing the basics

Green Energy
Take advantage of peak-season Swiss chard, from leaf to stem