The Beauty of the Hummingbirds - Hand engraved works by Mark Raynes Roberts

Crystal Vases "In Flight" (top left) "Northern Dancer" (top right)
Crystal sculpture detail from "Nectar" (bottom image)

I have always been fascinated by the sheer beauty of hummingbirds and the incredible display and dance they put on when caught in flight. I saw my first Ruby-throated hummingbird on an island in Temagami, Northern Ontario in 1985, and remember vividly being surprised by the buzz of wings and the dexterity when feeding.

Over the years I have been commissioned many times to create art pieces for clients who appreciate this amazing little bird, and can understand why the hummingbird resonates with so many people who love cottage life by the lake. The hummingbird has always been a favorite theme of mine for the simple reason it can be hand engraved actual size which makes the sculpture, bowl or vase truly come alive.

Interestingly Ruby-throated hummingbirds are not dissimilar to the British Robin when it comes to being territorial, typically only coming into contact for the purpose of mating, and both males and females of any age aggressively defending feeding locations within their territory. The aggressiveness becomes most pronounced in late summer to early fall as they fatten up for migration. This is important because, as part of their migration, they must fly across the Gulf of Mexico - a feat which long confounded scientists, as a 500-mile, non-stop flight over water would seemingly require a caloric energy that far exceeds an adult hummingbird's body weight of 3 grams.

However, researchers discovered the tiny birds can nearly double their body mass in preparation for their Gulf crossing. The additional mass, stored as fat, provides enough energy for the birds to achieve this amazing flight. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is approximately 7–9 cm long with an 8–11 cm wingspan, and weighs about 3 g. Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below, with near-black wings. Their bill is long, straight and very slender. The male is smaller than the female, and has a slightly shorter beak.

The breeding habitat is throughout most of eastern North America and the Canadian prairies, in deciduous and pine forests and forest edges, orchards, and gardens. The female builds a nest in a protected location in a shrub or a tree, and is a migratory bird, spending most of the winter in southern Mexico, Central America as far south as South America, and the West Indies. It breeds throughout the eastern United States, east of the 100th meridian, and in Canada in eastern and mixed deciduous forest. They feed frequently while active during the day and when temperatures drop, particularly on cold nights and conserve energy by entering a hypothermic torpor.

Truly a wonder of nature.

Commission your own hand engraved and signed hummingbird art piece by the artist.
Crystal Vases from $1,500
Crystal Sculpture from $5,000
www.markraynesroberts.com