Hummingbirds' Progress

This was Day 7 since the discovery of the eggs.
And, this is Day 10 on Saturday, June 26th.
More feathers and one of the babies appears to have his eyes open.
In no time, they will be fluttering here and there.

- Karen

Ellis Island Exhibit

Although I do not think I have any relatives that arrived to America through Ellis Island, I was always intrigued with its history including this exhibit. If you looked at it just right, you saw only the American flag. If you move just slightly, you will see miscellaneous faces.
I asked several of the employees and volunteers there, but surprisingly, no one was exactly sure the name of this exhibit. After a quick internet search upon returning home, did I find out that it is called American Flag of Faces.

If you look at the same exhibit from the other direction, all you see are faces. As you can see, it was quite a popular exhibit.
Where do these photos come from? If you donate $50 to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, you can include a picture of yourself, your family, or your ancestors on the American Flag of Faces photo gallery. I believe donated photos are selected from this pool and displayed on this exhibit.

At the back of the exhibit is a simple video screen with ordinary people explaining how they or their ancestors became citizens.

P.S. To readers curious about the baby hummingbirds, they are still healthy and growing. I thought I would take a break from that subject and return to it in a few days. No worries, I am still monitoring their progress daily.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Baby hummingbirds on Tuesday morning (June 22nd) , 2 days old on the left and 3 days old on the right.

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- Karen

Hatched, Part 2

Sure enough, we checked on Sunday morning, the second egg hatched. The momma bird did not even get a chance to dispose the shells yet.
The baby born on Saturday is noticeably larger in size.

This is how they looked like on Sunday evening. Both have shifted from their morning position and even in opposite directions from each other.

Both back in the same position on Monday morning and you can see a little more feather on each, but their eyes still appear to be closed.

- Karen

Hatched, Part 1

Saturday morning, June 19th, I discovered one of the two hummingbird eggs have hatched.
I read female hummingbirds normally lay two eggs and sometimes hatch close to the same day. After birth, the momma bird leaves the nest regularly to hunt insects for the baby.
In this case, when momma went searching for food, I took the opportunity to snap the above photo. The baby eyes are still shut. I am hoping the second birth is not far behind.

Someone mentioned that I should give the babies names. Any suggestions?

- Karen

Momma Bird Sits Patiently

By accident, we discovered a hummingbird's nest 7 feet high up a tree in our backyard.
The momma bird sits quietly and patiently on her eggs waiting for them to hatch. She was not distracted by her duty as life passed below her.
The tiny nest sits in the center of 4 branches. I was afraid a strong wind would topple it to the ground, but momma has more experience than me in building nests.

Catching momma coming in for a landing.

When momma flew away momentarily to visit with other hummingbirds, my husband got on a ladder to see what surprise was inside the nest. We hope to see 2 baby birds soon.

To read a multi-part story about baby bird births, visit rainfield61's posts.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Model of the Statue of Liberty's foot

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Visiting the Lady

This looks like a corkscrew, but in actuality, it is 354 narrow, steep, and spiraling steps up to reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
To come down, there is another set of spiraling stairs, at least, I never ran into anyone; otherwise, we would have been stuck.

A closer look at the stairs. To make it easier, I had to lean to one side to make the journey easier. I thought they would never end.

The view up there is spectacular. Here is a view out one of the "crown" windows. You can partially see Lady Liberty's right arm that holds the torch and vessels in the bay.

The space around the crown is quite cramped. This park ranger working up there that day had to stand on the edge so people can work through. During the summer, the temperature up there gets over 100+ degrees. All the rangers must be in good shape to make it up those stairs regularly.

A few readers had mentioned they are planning to visit New York City soon. If you want to visit The Crown section, buy your tickets online before your trip. The tickets to the top were sold out on the day of my visit, but fortunately I had purchased my tickets a month in advance.

- Karen

Statues of Liberty?

My first time seeing the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
Is it wrong to say she is huge? :)

A replica of the Statue is seen throughout the city like this one by the seaport.

Statue of Liberty performers taking a break. Not sure what they do aside from standing still.

Have a great weekend!

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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Puzzle Fun

My husband and I were quite enamored with New York City during our last visit that we purchased a 4D puzzle of the city as a souvenir.

After several weeks of looking at the box sitting on the shelf at home, we opened it on Sunday and began the undaunting task of putting the 700 pieces together. My last jigsaw puzzle was probably over 30 years ago.

We laid the foundation of the streets, rivers, and then the buildings. Lo and behold, after working together for most of the day, here is the finished product.

You can click to enlarge the photo for an overhead view. We definitely relived our vacation while putting it together.

For more information on this type of puzzle, visit the 4D Cityscape website.
- Karen

This Suits Me

I think I had a better view of this unique information kiosk from atop a double-decker bus than if I was walking on the street.
There was no doubt I was traveling through New York City's Fashion District where lead designers and fabric suppliers operate.


On a side note, several readers last week asked me the location of the "Curious Blue Beams". Since I had no clue, I consulted with Daryl, a New York City expert and blogger. It is indeed an art piece called "The Wall" by Frosty Myers located on the corner of Broadway & Houston.
Hope that answers your question...

Thanks Daryl! Check out her blog "Out & About in New York City".

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

LOVE sign in New York City

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The Bull and the Herd

Like many New York City tourists, I went by Wall Street to see the famous charging bull. Very few people were around, but that changed quickly...

Moments later, bus loads of tourists came by. When they left, another bus load came, they left, another bus load came, this went on for awhile...

Then students walking by went into action and got into the midst of the tourists. It was a mob scene, but no one cared if strangers got into their picture.
When it got too crowded by the bull's head, people took their photos by the bull's rump. Amazing!

- Karen

Curious Blue Beams

While in New York City, I spotted this unusual structure and liked the pattern it created. The beams certainly are not there to hold the building together nor do they serve as a precarious fire escape.
Is it art or a memento of what once stood there?
Sorry to keep you in suspense, but I do not have any information about this location, although I am hoping someone out there knows to keep me from pondering.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

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Seen on the Potomac

As we sail on the Potomac River in Washington D.C., I see the Washington Monument jutting out from behind the miniaturized buildings.

A group of rowing students share the river with us as we cruise by.

This flaming red fireboat docked on the Potomac is named after the famous astronaut.

A colossal quadrupled-decked ship for hire for your next party.

- Karen

Pick a Chair

It's the weekend, pick a chair to relax in and watch people go by.

Wordless Wednesday

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Into the Mist

What is a trip to Niagara Falls without getting wet and feeling its force?
Since 1846, the Maid of the Mist 30 minute boat ride has been taking passengers in for a closer look. With its huge popularity, the tour operator has since expanded to include a number of boats leaving from both the U.S. and Canadian borders.
Most people migrate onto the open top deck of the boat where you can hardly move without bumping into a stranger, but with so much excitement, no one hardly notices. Everyone is issued a complimentary blue poncho to keep the clothes underneath dry. One size fits all for the adults. I was using my point & shoot camera and it got quite wet. At some point when it was misting so badly, I had to put away the camera and just admire the scenery.

On our ride into the falls, another Maid of the Mist boat returns from their journey into the mist.

- Karen

Niagara Falls in the Evening

You can see the Rainbow Bridge and the Niagara River that divide the United States and Canada.
I arrived just before sunset on the United States side and here looking down at one of the two falls that make up Niagara Falls, the "American Falls". If you were standing on the Canadian side, you would get a much better view.

From this angle, you might not even realize that this is the popular "Horseshoe Falls" if not from all the mist it creates.

Sunsets at Niagara Falls with the Canadian cityscape in the background.
I think the red reflection on the water came from a neon sign from one of the numerous hotels or casinos across the way.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Multiple views of Niagara Falls

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- Karen

Tulipmania

I will conclude this week-long tour of Filoli with more tulips from its garden.

I will be traveling to the East Coast for the week. If I have a chance, I'll post something; otherwise, have a great week!

- Karen