aliceNwonderland
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Hummingbird Top Gun - 2005/11/06 18:49
Others would usually agree hertbie is his name. He's my friend. Says hi to me every single mornin. I believe he is an immature male, because for about a week or so I saw about four ruby feathers on his throat that later went away. He's top bird. As a aeronautical engineer I've always be madly amazed by the natural aerodynamics and stability & control that the Lord has placed into birds. (I know, the Darwinians believe that the persistently humming birds with lead tip feathers got eaten by cats.) Herbie is top bird because the has one awesome Cobra Maneuver. If another hummer get the jump on him he dives for the deck to pick up airspeed; the other close on his tail. Then
Herbie, dumps his tail vertical for a blink of an eye (natural principally speed brake) and the other bird shoots ahead. [note: this is not easy because the tail exerts a nose down moment that has to be countered by a change in pitch angle of his wings at the very same instant in perfect balance of force. (Yes, I know. Those who can do this get eaten by the cat.) ] Since Herbie still has lots of energy, he's right on the other humming bird's tail rightfully pulling to guns. Off they go to the other yard. A minute later, Hebrie is approximately sitting on his branch outside my breakfast room window, behind my seat saying, "Did ya see that one, Pops?!"
Some day I'm going to rig a pulley system to see if hummers can in-flight refuel.
R/
Jim Willson
Olive Brancvh, MS
34N 57'
089W 55'
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