Another challenge; another canna clip; visiting

Current Visiting Opportunities

am:(10-12.30) and pm : (3-5)

monday aug 29, am

tues aug 30, pm only
thur sept 1, am only
fri sept 2 am only
To Be Announced (depending on wind direction): one morning or afternoon sept 3 or 4.

Here's a couple of today's clips. The first shows  3 seconds in the life of a hummingbird, feeding peaceably at the blue flowers of Salvia guarantica "Black and Blue" and suddenly challenged by a close-flying attacker. Note the feeding hummer quickly turns, spread his tail feathers aggressively, and opens his bill to emit a quick warning squeak. This all happens in less than a second. The video is in 4X slo mo, and you can set it to play 4x more slowly again, so 1 second of real time lasts 16 seconds, and the individual wing-beats can be clearly seen. The actual attack occurs at the 10 sec mark (= after 2.5 seconds real time).

The second vid shows a more leisurely feeding at a red canna flower. It's set at normal speed but you can play it back at 0.25 speed using the little cogwheel and see the individual wingbeats.

How to Visit

PLEASE ONLY REQUEST APPOINTMENTS FOR A SPECIFIC, CURRENTLY POSTED, DATE AND TIME (AM OR PM), and state your first and last names. I CANNOT ANSWER EMAILS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE THESE ESSENTIAL DETAILS! PLENTY OF MORE DATES WILL BE POSTED, BUT YOU MUST WAIT AND CHOOSE A SPECIFIC, ANNOUNCED, DATE/TIME. DO NOT ASK FOR RANDOM FUTURE DATES, or to make an appointment for an undefined person or period. THANKS! However, if you can or must WALK to the sanctuary (1/2 mile from Sound Ave) let me - we may have some flexibility.

We will be opening 3 1/2 days a week until sept 15. However, the exact future dates we will open may not yet been decided (depends partly on weather). Please do not request an appointment for days other than those announced at this blog (see above). Requests for undefined not-yet-posted dates will be ignored: I simply cannot keep track of your requests, you have to keep track of my available dates as they are posted (typically a few days ahead). If you want a date in, say, mid-august (eg aug 15) please wait until (and if) that date is posted (probably some time around aug 10-12). Taking reservations on a rolling, as available, basis works best for me (e.g. allows for weather, unforeseen circumstances etc), makes it more likely you will actually show for your appointment (no-shows reduce the limited visiting opportunities for others). Email me (paul.adams%stonybrook.edu)  which of the available (i.e. posted) "slots" (dates and times; visits are either 10-12.30 or 3-5; NO EARLY BIRDS) you want to come, mentioning your name, if you have visited before, and the expected number in your ONE car, and whether ALL are good walkers (there are difficult trails).  I'll send you an email with directions and instructions, which you should read carefully. If you tell me you can conform with these instructions,  I'll then send a confirmation of your appointed visit, with the necessary liability waiver form, which you must sign and bring with you. If the currently posted dates do not suit you, please wait for suitable dates to be posted - plenty more to come. Attempted visits without an appointment and signed waiver are TRESPASS.

Please don't ask for a future date, or ask me to pick a date - keeping track just gets too complicated. Once the quota for each "slot" is filled, I'll immediately remove the posting - so, just before you email me, check for the current available dates/times. This is the system I used the last 2 years, and once you get the hang of it, it's a cinch: just wait for the date/time (am/pm)  you want then email me with your choice and name.

The only exception is for my personal friends, who, unlike the general public, are not subject to the quotas imposed by the recent lawsuit settlement (of which I'll be writing more soon). They can visit at any time (by appointment), preferably when we are NOT open, so I can give you my full attention.