. . HOVER CRAFT . This rufous hummingbird is one of several photographed this summer near Bend, Oregon showing some of its skills to hover in place. Each photo taken showed the hummingbird with alternating wingbeats. Their shoulder bones can pivot in the joint socket up to 180 degrees. By rotating their wings in a figure 8 motion, hummingbirds have lift and propulsion in both upward and downward wingbeats to fly both forward and backward. This allows them to hover in mid-air to drink nectar from flowers. According to National Geographic, they are the only birds that can hover in mid-air.

. . While looking closely at the impressive array of feathers on this rufous hummingbird stretching near Bend, Oregon, it's hard to believe that this fierce competitor who can migrate almost 8000 miles round trip each year weighs only 1/8th of an ounce (.12 ounces; 3.2-3.4 grams). Sure makes me feel like an underachiever.