What Do Hummingbird Migration And You Being King or Queen For A Day Have In Common?
At first glance, you wouldn’t think anything. But, the truth is that because of the yearly hummingird migration, you have the chance to be king or queen for a day, with a flock of colorful hummingbirds as your loyal subjects.
You see the owners of Hontoon Landing in Florida are not only business people, but also hummingbird lovers it seems. They have constructed a hummingbird garden at their establishment to attract the swarms of colorful hummingbirds that call Florida their home from March through August. They’ve even built a “hummingbird throne” where visitors can get an up-close and personal view of the normally skittish creatures.
“They make this garden their home,” said April Stomberg, Hontoon Landing’s general manager. “And you can sit back and see them from like a foot away.”
The throne, which looks like an oversized lawnchair, is adorned with green foliage, vibrant plants and red hummingbird feeders. Visitors sit in the chair, while the ruby-throated hummingbirds flutter around the flowers and feeders. The wings move so fast that the tiny birds can hover in midair, and watchers can hear the sound of flapping wings, Stomberg said.
The garden offers the birds a few favorites like bottlebrush, vine cape honeysuckle and hibiscus for snacking. Additionally, hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so many of the items in the garden feature the vivid color.
The ruby-throated hummingbirds make the 600-mile migration from Central America to the east coast of the United States every year. However, the chance to live like royalty is running out. Most of the birds head back south in the third week of August. Until then the Hontoon Landing garden has turned into the annual home for the birds.”
Who says caring for the environment and making money don’t mix?
Click here to read the full storyUntil next time,
Catey
