Smile! You're watching 'Hummingbird Candid Camera'

Call it "Candid Camera for Hummingbirds."

Glenn Freudenberger of Everett recommended a website, www.phoebeallens.com, and I'm passing on the recommendation.

Phoebe is a nonmigratory Channel Islands Allen's hummingbird who builds her golfball-size nest in a Southern California rose bush, then lays eggs about a half-inch long.

In that warmer climate, Phoebe lays four or five clutches of one or two eggs from October through May. Hatching takes 17 days, and the babies fly three to four weeks later.

The webite lists every egg-laying, hatching and fledgling since October 2007. It also lists the chicks' names and posts whether eggs were stolen by another bird, or that Hope was taken by a crow, or that Jewel was released by a rehab specialist.

The camera, about a foot from the nest, is connected to a computer.

This site has become so popular that when the owners moved the broadcast to www.Ustream.tv in 2009, they had more than 2 million views in less than a year.

Enjoy.

Ride your bike: Mark your calendar, and consider getting into bike-riding shape now for the Aug. 27 and 28 170-mile-long RAPSody ride, which draws bicyclers from all over the country.

The eighth annual Ride Around Puget Sound funds bicycle advocacy and education programs developed by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County is one of the five clubs organizing the event.

While you're getting your muscles and lungs in shape, picture crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, scenic backroads, mountain and water views, and up to 9,600 feet of elevation gain over the weekend.

Register at www.rapsodybike ride.com or ask questions at info@rapsodybikeride.com.

Elk protection: The seasonal closure of Whiskey Dick and Quilomene wildlife areas east of Ellensburg to motor vehicles to protect about 4,600 wintering elk herds is in effect until May 1.

Research indicates traffic can disturb the elk and reduce their habitat by causing them to stay away from roads.

Expect delays: Road crews are moving a section of Highway 530 away from the prone-to-flooding Sauk River at Milepost 59.5, 10 miles north of Darrington and Suiattle River Road, and south of Illabot Road. Expect delays all summer.

Trail access blocked: Mountain Loop Highway is closed at Red Bridge and at Barlow Pass while Snohomish County crews stabilize the Silverton-Waldheim debris slide 7 miles east of the Verlot Public Service Center.

Access is cut off from Granite Falls to the Deer Creek snowplay area, Mount Dickerman, Big Four trailheads, Elliot Creek/Goat Lake Trail and Monte Cristo.

Round table: Here's your chance to discuss fish and wildlife issues with state Fish and Wildlife staffers. The public meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Sedro-Woolley Senior Center, 715 Pacific St.

Ouch: Here's another take on illegal dumping. In this scenario, the dumpers are taking money directly from your wallet. Not only is the dumping an eyesore to hikers and others enjoying the woods and waterways, but it costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

Some of it is industrial solvents and from meth labs, not exactly your local fauna and flora. Someone has to pay for cleaning up the mess. That will be the rest of us.



Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.