Wonderful Wings
This hummer has a long way to travel from Kentucky, but its wings can do the job. The photo shows that the wings nearly touch in front of and behind the body of a hovering hummingbird. The ability to feed on nectar while hovering is a special adaptation of hummingbirds. Hovering is possible because of the unique figure-eight motion of the hummer's wings. The figure-eight motion also allows hummingbirds to fly forward, backward, up and down, sideways, and even upside down for short distances!

"My numbers are holding steady at 3 to 6 hummingbirds but reality has to set in soon, with no hummingbirds to enjoy through the winter months."

Russ Thompson in Louisville, Kentucky (October 5, 2013)

Photo: Russ Thompson