Hummingbird - Sunni's Photo's
We have large windows on the back of our house. From them, we can look out at the patio and the desert landscape beyond. Since we’ve lived here, many birds have hit the windows. Some of them fly off and others aren’t so lucky. The windows are low E and double pane because it is very hot here in the summers. We need all the help with the heat that we can get. We do have roller shades, but the windows are reflective and it looks like the desert to the birds, reflecting the scene behind out house.
Hummingbird - Sunni's Photo's
A couple of days ago, two hummingbirds were playing chasing each other as they darted back and forth, landing on the feeder and then the trees. They were having a gay time when they both hit the window. As always, we hated to see that happen. Usually other birds hit the windows. I always wonder if I’ll have to dig another grave. It takes the birds a bit to come around. They sit there awhile until they steady themselves and get oriented again. I’m sure they’re wondering what just happened to them.
Hummingbird - Sunni's Photo's
We both went outside after one of the hummingbirds flew off. The other was lying there askew, so my husband picked it up. After another couple of minutes, it started to wiggle a bit and then sat up. I ran and got the camera to get these shots. We both touched it and it was so soft. It sat staring at us the whole time. My husband says, “It’ll probably poop on my hand.” I just laughed, glad that it was okay as it wiggled a bit more and gradually made its way to his fingertips. A couple minutes later, it flew off to the bird feeder where it sat awhile before flying into the desert.
Hummingbird - Sunni's Photo's
I wanted to share this story. The only other time we’ve been that close to one of the hummers is when we rescued one that was stuck in an open house we visited years ago. Someone left the front door open and it flew in and to the big window where we found it. It didn’t know how to get out. My husband grabbed it by the beak. The little thing was wearing itself out from flapping its wings so hard to fly away, so it wasn’t that hard to grab. We let it go at the front door, glad that we came by because it probably would have died in there.
What a beautiful story. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteAuthor,
DeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I'm glad you liked that story.
Sunni
Sunni,
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming story with a happy outcome. I personally adore hummingbirds and have an overwhelming affinity for them. That a creature so light, fleet and nimble can suspend itself seemingly without effort on a mere breath of air is beyond me in so many ways. Forget that hummingbirds are agile and precise; forget that they are probably the most enigmatic and elegant examples of God's engineering — hummingbirds are quite simply the Ferrari's of feathered flight. They're the single most beautiful bird, in every aspect, when it comes to airborne creatures.
I think of the window strikes to which all fast-flying birds are susceptible and I am reminded of stories in recent years about a farmer witnessing highly inventive aerial acrobatics by birds at a certain time in the early Autumn each year. It turns out that these birds were eating berries from local trees that had not fallen or been picked. The berries were beginning to decay and had actually fermented on the branches. The birds were eating these fermented berries and getting drunk. Hence the hilarious antics and stunt flying that was so entertaining to the local populace.
Hummingbirds actually have this kind of agility year round so they are especially gifted at stunt work combined with elegance.
Thank you so much for this lovely and enchanting story. As always, I am quite enamored of your posts. Cheers.
Michael,
DeleteThank you so much for stopping to read my story and leaving such a beautiful comment. We are graced with the wonder of all sorts of creatures here in the desert. They seem to thrive in this tough environment. I guess they have adapted because the situation calls for it.
I have seen the birds doing their acrobatics. We have different ones that come during the different seasons to nibble on whatever is going to seed.
The ravens here are also quite adept at aerial stunts. They show off when it's windy out, diving and soaring in the desert behind our house. They twist and turn in such a display, but are too fast to capture in a picture. Perhaps, I should try to video them.
I am also amazed at the hummingbirds and was so happy that this one made it and didn't meet it's demise. I can't imagine what it must be like to hover on flapping wings all day like they do.
Sunni
Awww! Thank you for sharing this story. I'm so glad both hummingbirds were okay. Sweet. :D
ReplyDeleteVashti,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and reading. I am thankful as well that both birds made it. There isn't always a happy ending.
Sunni