Spring is Coming and So are the Hummingbirds-Part 2

Last week I posted some interesting facts I'd found about Hummingbirds.  But the list was quite long, so I broke it up into 2 parts.  As promised, here is Part 2 of the Hummingbird facts.  I hope you enjoy.

13.At rest, a hummingbird takes an average of 250 breaths per minute.
14.The rufous hummingbird has the longest migration of any hummingbird species with a distance of more than 3,000 miles from the bird’s nesting grounds in Alaska and Canada to its winter habitat in Mexico.
15.The ruby-throated hummingbird flies 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico during both its spring and fall migrations.
16.Depending on the species, habitat conditions, predators and other factors, the average lifespan of a wild hummingbird is 3-12 years.
17.Hummingbirds have no sense of smell but have very keen eyesight.
18.Hummingbirds do not suck nectar through their long bills, they lick it with fringed, forked tongues.
19.A hummingbird can lick 10-15 times per second while feeding.
20.Hummingbirds digest natural sucrose in 20 minutes with 97 percent efficiency for converting the sugar into energy.
21.Many hummingbird species, including Anna’s, black-chinned, Allen’s, Costa’s, rufous, calliope and broad-tailed hummingbirds, can breed together to create hybrid species, one fact that makes identifying hummingbirds very challenging.
22.The peak fall migration period for hummingbirds is from mid-July through August or early September, depending on the route.
23.Despite their small size, hummingbirds are one of the most aggressive bird species and will regularly attack jays, crows and hawks that infringe on their territory.
24.The bill of the aptly named sword-billed hummingbird, found in the Andes Mountains, can reach up to 4 inches long.
25.Hummingbirds are native species of the New World and are not found outside of the Western Hemisphere.
Again, if it's not already listed, keep an eye out for my Fused Glass Hummingbird Feeder in my Etsy shop: KayzKreationz.  And here's another cute little Hanging Stained Glass Mosaic Birdfeeder/Birdbath that will be listed shortly in my shop.  If you love Texas or Jalapeno Peppers, you'll love this one.  Enjoy.

Spring is Coming and So are the Hummingbirds

Recently I saw a post with some interesting facts about Hummingbirds.  It was from a newsletter I get from About.com  And it reminded me that soon the Hummingbirds will be returning to our neck of the woods.  I love these little birds.  But they can be annoying. LOL  I put my hummingbird feeders out every year and attract quite a few to our small Texas ranch.  But if I dare let them feeders get empty, boy do they let me know it.  They will fly all around me and buzz me until I go back inside, clean them and put out fresh nectar for them!  Anyway, I thought you'd enjoy these facts as much as I did:

1.There are more than 325 hummingbird species in the world. Only 8 species regularly breed in the United States, though up to two dozen species may visit the country.
2.A hummingbird’s brilliant throat color is not caused by feather pigmentation, but rather by iridescence in the arrangement of the feathers and the influence of light level, moisture and other factors.
3.Hummingbirds cannot walk or hop, though their feet can be used to scoot sideways while they are perched.
4.The calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird species in North America and measures just 3 inches long. The bee hummingbird is the smallest species and measures 2.25 inches long.
5.Hummingbirds have 1,000-1,500 feathers, the fewest number of feathers of any bird species in the world.
6.The average ruby-throated hummingbird weighs 3 grams. In comparison, a nickel weighs 4.5 grams.
7.From 25-30 percent of a hummingbird’s weight is in its pectoral muscles, the muscles principally responsible for flight.
8.A hummingbird’s maximum forward flight speed is 30 miles per hour, though the birds can reach up to 60 miles per hour in a dive.
9.Hummingbirds lay the smallest eggs of all birds. They measure less than 1/2 inch long but may represent as much as 10 percent of the mother’s weight at the time the eggs are laid.
10.A hummingbird must consume approximately 1/2 of its weight in sugar daily, and the average hummingbird feeds 5-8 times per hour.
11.A hummingbird’s wings beat between 50 and 200 flaps per second depending on the direction of flight and air conditions.
12.An average hummingbird’s heart rate is more than 1,200 beats per minute.
13.At rest, a hummingbird takes an average of 250 breaths per minute.

This is only half of the facts about Hummingbird's I saw.  Stay tuned for part 2 in a week or so.  Plus, keep your eye out for my new Fused Glass Hummingbird Feeder that I'll be listing in my Etsy shop: KayzKreationz. They are great for your yard or as a gift.  In the meantime, check out this cute Hanging Mosaic Birdfeeder that can also be used as a birdbath if you wish.

Earth Day

Today is EARTH day. What is everyone doing to help the earth? I always try to plant something. And I don't use chemicals in my yard or garden at any time. I recycle most of the year too. And with my glass I try to recycle bottles, shells, etc. for some of my art. Then I also create things to help the wildlife, like my birdbaths, birdfeeders, butterfly baths, etc. We need all those critters to keep our gardens/yards growing. You can check out some of my glass items at KayzKreationz. Will be a new birdfeeder/birdbath/butterfly bath listed tonight.
What do you do to help the earth & environment?

New Listings coming to Etsy for spring

I love spring. The grass is getting green, the trees and flowers are budding and blooming. The birds, butterflies and bees are returning. And I get the urge to get my garden weeded, back in shape, planted, etc. My grandmother had a green thumb and was always working in her yard and garden. She loved having feeders out for the birds. My grandfather even managed to tame/train a wild squirrel to come down out of the trees, come up on his porch and eat right out of his hands. I guess that's where I get it. So with my glass, I have a tendency to create things that decorate my yard and garden or help the wildlife in some way. In both my shops on Etsy and Artfire, I have things for just that purpose. My plant stakes decorate your garden and your potted plants. My birdfeeders can be used for that purpose or even as shallow bird baths or butterfly baths. Butterflies need shallow baths and these small terra cotta feeders are just right for that purpose, too. My windchimes decorate, twist and chime in the wind for your enjoyment. Even my garden twirlers add a touch of whimsy to your garden. So keep and eye out for some great new items for your yard and garden coming soon to KayzKreationz.

Interview with Yaffa Dreams

After purchasing a couple of adorable guitar pick pendants from Yaffa Dreams, like the one to the left, I wanted to fing out more about her and her art. So I asked her for an interview. Here's her great answers. I hope you enjoy learning more about this great Etsy seller. And afterwards, check out her shop, YaffaDreams. Here's just a peek at some of her great items in the box on the right.

1. When did you start crafting?

When I was a wee one! I also majored in Constructive Design in college and wanted to design fabrics, which never happened.

2. What is your favorite part of your crafting?

Seeing the end results. I usually start out with one idea and by the time I have finished, the end product is totally different.

3. Do you make more than one craft, and if so, do you sell them all in your shop? I make mainly jewelry but I also paint bags and jeans and yes, I sell them all in my shop.

4. How does your crafting help you? (i.e. do you use it to support yourself entirely, to help with part of your bills, or mainly for fun and some extra cash as well as the joy in crafting?

Right now, I am unemployed and use crafting to help pay my bills and also to keep me busy, so that I don't end up in the nuthouse.

5. What is the hardest and easiest parts of your crafting?

For me, the hardest part of crafting is wire-wrapping. I guess it takes tons of practice. Also, not buying every bead out there.

6. What do you enjoy about having a shop on Etsy?

I love the support from fellow Etsiers. I have made tons of friends on Etsy.

7. What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy?

www.KayzKreationz.etsy.com for the beautiful glass work (and the mosaic bird bath).

www.Host.etsy.com all proceeds go to help fellow etsiers in need.

www.scrapbox65610.etsy.com the tarts are so cute and smell so good. I keep them all over the house. My closets smell great.

www.catiahades.etsy.com for the cutest jewelry items.

www.boogerelli.etsy.com for her fun lil' boogers.