Ruby-Throated Hummingbird’s Flight South: Minnesota to Martinique
© Imaginexxus LLC
The air was laden with heat and humidity. Summer definitely seemed in no particular hurry to go anywhere. Nevertheless, the calendar read September 25th. And this was Minneapolis after all. We knew that in a matter of days, perhaps weeks, autumn’s chill would arrive. Winter’s frigid temperatures wouldn’t be too far behind.
Our feathered friends, like this ruby-throated hummingbird, in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum knew it too. Soon she and her buddies would be making their plans to head south. They possibly had even begun talking about where they’d spend the winter. Will it be Key West this year for the red ginger? Maybe try out the frangipani in St. Martin or Martinique? In looking at this tiny bird that’s no larger than my index finger, it’s almost inconceivable that she can fly to Kentucky, let alone the Caribbean.
When we spotted her on this dahlia stem, she seemed to be taking a breather. She sat there for over a minute. Possibly she was just resting up for the 1,900+ mile trip.
If you enjoyed this story in our series, you may also enjoy another story about the Minneapolis area or any of our books.