Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A SMILING SUMMER...








"There is a smiling summer here
which causes the birds to sing
and
sets the bees in motion."  

Emily Dickinson, 1858








The hummingbird - from the family,
Trochilidae...

With the exception of insects, hummingbirds, while in flight, have the highest metabolism of all animals, a necessity in order to support the rapid beating of their wings.






Their heart rate can reach as high as 1,260 beats per minute.  They consume more than their own weight in nectar each day and to do so they must visit hundreds of flowers daily.

Hummingbirds are continuously hours away from starving to death, and are able to store just enough energy to survive overnight.






"A flash of harmless lightening
A mist of rainbow dyes
The burnished sunbeams brightening
from flower to flower
he flies."

John Banister Tabb









"By the way, did you fellows know
that a hummingbird weighs as much
as a quarter?  Do you think a
hummingbird also weighs the same
as two dimes and a nickel?
But then she asked a question of 
her own..
How do they weigh a hummingbird?"

Calvin Trillin, "Enough's Enough"








"Oh, the honey-bees are gumming
on their little wings
 and humming
that the summer,which is coming,
will be fun."

A. A. Milne, "The House at Pooh Corner"








"The pedigree of Honey/
does not concern the bee?
A clover, anytime, to him/
is aristocracy."

Emily Dickinson







"How doth the little busy bee
improve each shining hour,
and gather honey all the day
from every opening flower?"

Isaac Watts







"Bees do have a smell,
 you know,
 and if they don't,
they should,
for their feet are dusted with
spices from a million flowers."

Ray Bradbury, "Dandelion Wine"








We are leaving Saturday for a trip to Arizona to spend time with family.

We'll bee be back in a couple of weeks.  
Untill then...

...Judy...

Just wanted to take this time to thank Jody and Stan at Rooted in Thyme for including me in last week's Simple and Sweet Fridays features. Buzz on by their blog. You'll be sure to enjoy.. 











I'm sharing today with:



































19 comments:

  1. Love your smiling summer photos! I love the hummers that stop by every day. I never get tired of seeing them. Like a little miracle. Have a great trip!

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  2. Oh such a lovely heart warming post with so much passion for the bees...xx

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  3. Judy your photos are gorgeous! You must have a very nice camera to zoom in that close to a hummingbird! Wow! And the bee! I like your honey pot. I have been keeping my eye out for one but have not found one that I like and if I do it is always chipped somewhere. Have a great trip.
    Gina

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  4. Hi Judy.....came across your blog from somewhere.......can't remember....such pretty "hummers" and magnificent pics.....you caught some great shots of them .

    Jo
    "

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  5. A smiling summer for sure. Great photos and I love the ones of the hummingbird. xo Diana

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  6. Try and stay cool in sunny AZ! Mimi

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  7. One of the most charming posts I've read in a long time - I'll bee happy for sure, because summer is certainly smiling. Do have a grand vacation.

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  8. un bel été , pour toute ces petites bêtes
    " pour faire un jardin , il faut un morceau de terre et l'éternité "
    Clément Gilles

    bonnes vacances
    tendresse
    edith (iris) France

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  9. Enjoy your trip to Arizona..
    have lots of fun with the family.
    a lovely post Judy.
    happy days
    xxx val

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  10. This was a lovely sweet post Judy. I remember the first time we ever saw a hummingbird.It was in the gardens of the Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont where we spent part of our honeymoon.I couldnt believe how beautiful, or tiny, it was.

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  11. Lindas fotografias, amei as cores e o seu dia de sol!

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  12. Hi: What a fun post! Enjoy your vacation, wish I was going on one soon. Thank you for stopping by, looking forward to your next post. Blessings, Martha

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  13. Hi Judy,
    Enjoy your vacation. I am leaving on Tuesday for vacation too. Please check out this blog post when you get a chance I think you will be happy. http://www.junkchiccottage.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-winners-are-first-let-me-say-thank.html
    Kris

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  14. Smiling Summer - I love it! Your photos are beautiful, and the quotes to go with them were all new to me. Have a grand holiday!

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  15. That's a lovely way to describe summer...especially now that we have a sunny time here in the UK! I had only seen hummingbirds at a bird sanctuary and so was delighted to see them in the real when I was in the USA so it is lovely to see your pictures and lovely quotes! Do hope that you have a lovely holiday. Joan

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  16. A Beautiful post as Always. You take so wonderful Pictures.
    Hope you have a great day.
    Love Elzie

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  17. What a beautiful post and awesome photos! Thank you for showing us what the birds and the bees are all about :)

    Blessings,

    Debby

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  18. A beautiful post Judy, enjoy your time in Arizona.xxx

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy