tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post3333893587152416513..comments2024-03-11T05:03:14.020-07:00Comments on Ernie's Place: A few thoughts about life in generalErnie Branscombhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06391160783604462511noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-1560093452582859282009-03-27T14:51:00.000-07:002009-03-27T14:51:00.000-07:00What a great story! How did I miss this? I once ...What a great story! How did I miss this? <BR/><BR/>I once visited a home in the Santa Rosa area that had about 30 hummingbird feeders for 20 years. If you went out to fill them, hundreds of hummingbirds zoomed around some even landing on you. I've never forgotten the magic!Kymhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04724133309876710731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-36720823462569279292008-07-23T21:10:00.000-07:002008-07-23T21:10:00.000-07:00Thanks Ernie...made me remember a fond memory of a...Thanks Ernie...made me remember a fond memory of a hummingbird rescue where I got to feel its little claws on my finger for a few minutes til it recovered enough to dart off. <BR/>the Allness in the smallness!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-51876485238157831662008-07-16T22:03:00.000-07:002008-07-16T22:03:00.000-07:00Kind of gives new meaning to the expression "eats ...Kind of gives new meaning to the expression "eats like a bird", doesn't it? <BR/>Hee, hee.Robin Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15282504761189889311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-76859312260561649832008-07-16T19:29:00.000-07:002008-07-16T19:29:00.000-07:00Torpor is a state similar to hibernation. Humming...Torpor is a state similar to hibernation. Hummingbirds must enter this state to ensure that the birds won't actually starve to death before down. Torpor is a type of deep sleep where an animal lowers its hart and metabolic rate. In a state of torpor the hummingbird lowers its metabolic rate by as much as 95%. A torpid hummingbird consumes up to 50 times less energy than when awake. The lowered metabolic rate also causes a cooled body temperature. A hummingbird's night time body temperature is maintained at a level which is barely sufficient to maintain life. This level is known as their set point and it is far below the normal daytime body temperature of 104°F or 40°C known for other birds of similar size. <BR/><BR/>There are several types of torpor. The various types of torpor are classified mostly by duration and season. If the state of torpor takes place over a long period of time during the winter, it is known as hibernation. However, unlike hibernation, hummingbird torpor can occur on any night of the year so it is referred to as daily torpor or noctivation. Tropical hummingbird species also have rigid metabolic demands and even they rely on daily torpor to conserve energy. <BR/><BR/>The sleep of torpid hummingbirds is a sleep that is as deep as death. According to the book, American Ornithology, written by Alexander Wilson in 1832, torpor is described as follows: "No motion of the lungs could be perceived ... the eyes were shut, and, when touched by the finger, [the bird] gave no signs of life or motion."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-35429062862408715752008-07-15T12:27:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:27:00.000-07:00It is a wonderful story, Ernie!It is a wonderful story, Ernie!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10082877661130396437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-11533106841225623442008-07-15T07:26:00.000-07:002008-07-15T07:26:00.000-07:00Yeah, The words "sweet" and "Ernie" are often used...Yeah, The words "sweet" and "Ernie" are often used in the same sentence.<BR/><BR/>See! It happened again!Ernie Branscombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06391160783604462511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-18257319419608498132008-07-15T06:52:00.000-07:002008-07-15T06:52:00.000-07:00Very, very sweet story.Very, very sweet story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com