Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

Ruby throated Hummingbirds due to appear in East Tennessee. April in East Tennessee marks the time to get out hummingbird feeders and fill them in anticipation of the arrival of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. While there are many species of hummingbirds, east of the Mississippi typically only gets the Ruby Throated. The male arrives roughly 10 days ahead of the female. He searches out feeders and fills up on nectar in order to replenish the energy he needs for his journey.

If your yard is conducive to nesting, the male will hang around and wait for the female. But, if your yard is not a nesting yard, he continues his journey north until he finds an ideal habitat.  Hummingbirds prefer wooded areas that are near water or have water features.

Ruby Throated hummingbirds are primarily insect eaters, either picking them off vegetation or capturing them in the air.  Secondarily, they enjoy natural nectar they can feed on from nectar producing plants, like cardinal flower and salvia. This is one of the reasons why we don’t see a lot of activity at feeders during May, June and early July. If your yard is lucky enough to be chosen for a nesting site, the hummingbird will only use your feeder for supplemental feeding during these months.

Once again in August East Tennessee experiences an influx of hummingbirds that are heading south to gather around the border of the Gulf of Mexico.

We recommend making your own Hummingbird nectar with a 4-1 ratio of water to sugar. You will need to clean your feeder and change your nectar 2 times per week, or 3 times if

temperatures are in the 90’s.  Do not use pre-made nectar with red dye which is a chemical and not natural to the bird. Use feeders that do not leak and are designed to keep ants, bees and wasps out. When I am asked where the best place is to put a feeder I always answer by saying to put it where you want to see the bird. They are attracted to red and can be drawn all the way up to your porch or window. Our Wild Birds Unlimited branded feeders have all the right features along with easy to clean and a Life Time Guarantee.

Liz Cutrone is the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Knoxville, TN. She is a Certified Bird Specialist specializing in attracting and feeding backyard birds. Wildbirds Unlimited is located at 7240 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

Smoky Mountain Mars Probe Launch Successful

Smoky Mountain Mars Probe Launch Successful. The recent Clingmans Dome Mars probe launch heralded a new era of cooperation between the National Park Service, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and Space Ex corporation. This daring mission was the first in national park history and was met with mixed reaction from the public. National security concerns prohibited the public from viewing the launch leaving space enthusiasts with many unanswered questions. The probe was the first mission for the Space Ex dragon module. The module will be the latest vehicle to house astronauts on future missions to the Moon and Mars.

“Our new Dragon module has proven to be a complete success so far,” said Space Ex founder Eon Musk. “New technology allows the launch vehicle to land autonomously saving the space program billions of dollars while raising interest in America’s National Parks.“

The Clingmans Dome observation tower was ideally suited for supporting the rocket prior to launch.  The structure required slight modifications to the circular access ramp to help control the blast radius of the rocket.

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Updated Great Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Lottery Dates

Updated Great Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Lottery Dates. The dates for the 2019 Synchronous Firefly shuttle operations calendar will be announced April 22, 2019. Evening access to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Elkmont campground will be restricted to those possessing parking pass confirmation. Elkmont access will be limited to those utilizing the firefly shuttles and campers.

The parking passes will be awarded via lottery. The lottery opens Friday, April 26, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. and closes on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. The parking confirmation passes lottery can be participated in at Firefly lottery. Parking passes are only valid for a specific date. You will be allowed to enter your preferred date and one alternate date on your lottery application.

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Dollywood Festival Of Nations 2019

Dollywood Festival Of Nations 2019. Feel the beat at Dollywood’s Festival of Nations scheduled March 16, – April 14, 2019.  Entertainers from several countries will perform on stages in the massive theme park located in Dolly’s home Sevier County. In addition talented chefs, including Cuban celebrity Chef Pepin, will prepare international dishes each weekend during Festival of Nations.

Dollywood’s Celebrity Theater

Movin to the groovin has never been easier as Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba and her Havana based company demonstrates the art of Cuban music and dance dating from the 1950s to modern times. And, on stage, big band pounds out the rhythm as 18 dancers, several which have performed together for some 25 years, perform lively fusion-style dances that blend Hispanic and Caribbean cultures. Groove to the Latin beat and maybe even shake your own tail feathers during this vibrant performance.

Drumstruck is a performance that might be just the thing to help channel your inner percussionist.  Billed as the first interactive drum-theatre experience, the beat goes on as Drumstruck pounds out ancient, eerie rhythms that echo the heart of the Dark Continent. Be sure and check out the attached sneak preview video below of these amazing musicians!

Show Street Gazebo

Ecuador-based Atahualpa uses native Incan instruments to celebrate the culture of the Andes. Atahualpa’s combination of traditional, contemporary music along with South American dance music is guaranteed to get the audience on their feet. Through music, Atahualpa hopes to promote peace and brotherhood to the entire world.

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Smoky Mountain Super Moon

Smoky Mountain Super Moon will rise above the Southern Appalachian mountains Wednesday, March 20, 2019. This Smoky Mountain special event is the final Super Moon of the year appearing on the same day as the vernal equinox, the beginning of spring! This super moon is known as the “Full Worm Moon.”  The full moon and the spring equinox arrive within four hours of each other. The last time this occurred was March 2000, but the last time it was on the same date was March 20, 1981.

A “supermoon” means the Moon will be almost at its closest point to the Earth for the month. This is the third and final supermoon of 2019. The moon will seem bigger and brighter than normal.

Traditionally Native American and other historical names for full Moons were used to keep track of the seasons. Each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month during which it appears. The Moon we view in March is known as the Full Worm Moon. During this time of year the ground begins to soften from the cold extremes of winter inviting earthworms to begin to appear and do their thing. Robins and other birds begin to feed on them and this was always considered a verifiable sign of spring. This re-birth of the earth is accompanied by roots pushing their way through the soil with green shoots popping up.

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