Jewel of the North

Watch Michael Weins and Dave Cleary talking about the Hummer Summer Project on City TV’s Breakfast Television. Not every bird has the power and intrigue to turn heads. The mystery behind the hummingbird is so enticing, it draws us in, only to want more. Although not seen much, they hover and hide from the unkeen eye. They fulfill a purpose that is an intricate part of the life cycle, but rarely get the credit. If you love to garden, and share the desire to attract hummingbirds to your yard, then this guide is for you. It is filled with years of research on how to attract and keep hummingbirds around your yard. With loads of information, gardening tips, and facts about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, you are more than certain to achieve these results. It can stir the hearts and minds of even the faintest of nature seekers and bring a smile and conversation to even the grumpiest of curmudgeons. It envelops our mind with such wonder and intrigue, and with such swift movements, it can disappear almost mysteriously. Not only does it thrill the emotions of humans, but it gets a second and even a third glance from other birds. It is a creature designed with perfection. Its intricacies are rare among all other birds, but the fascination doesn’t stop there. Its speed and agility far exceed anything like it. It can fly forwards, backwards, side-to-side, and just about any which way it desires. With pinpoint accuracy, its beak can pluck the tiniest of insects out of the air, and with its intense attitude, it can intimidate even the largest of birds. It is one of the most sought after birds and even draws envy from all of its other feathered cousins. It is a bird we would all like to see much more often, but with its blazing speed and dodgy movements, it tends to escape its audience far too quickly. Because of its size and speed, this is a bird that is rarely seen. However, their numbers are relatively high. We don’t see them nearly as often because they require certain elements for which other birds don’t necessarily care. It is a bird that has tremendous eyesight and can detect the slightest movements. It is quite wary, and it avoids areas with lots of movement and noise. However, if you live near a treed park, river valley, or any rural area, which contains a reasonable amount bush or forest, and you want to invest the time in gardening, you can attract them. After many years of heavy research, Michael Wiens developed this guide to locating and attracting one of the most exciting creatures ever designed—the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Native Albertan Michael Wiens, country grown, is known for his passion for birding and overall intrigue with nature. With his wife’s green thumb, he learned the art of gardening and combined it with “hummingbirding” to form a lifelong passion. He has marveled in the rewards of growing their own hummingbird garden and the extensive research of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and applied it to a well thought out book on attracting these extraordinary little creatures to their country getaway. More information about Michael Wiens is available at www.therubythroat.com.