What do you see
When you peer at me
Through my window screen?
Wings speeding and then careening
Toward my red-bottomed vial
Flying in place for a while.
Your long pointy snout
Fits in a hole no doubt
Smaller than a pin prick.
Sweet juice is sucked, no tongue for a lick
Liquid nectar like from a fuchsia flower
Whose sugary water gives you super powers.
Belly full, you look at me
Wings flapping faster than a bee’s
Our eyes meet, what a magnificent treat.
I tip my head and greet
Your red-throated magic offering me
A glance at nature’s infinity.
“The daily hummingbird assaults existence with improbability.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin, No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters
A great poem! Love hummingbirds!
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Something magical about hummingbirds, for sure.
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Indeed!
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❤ ❤
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Thought you’d like my “ode,” Jill. 🙂
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Of course I loved it! 🙂
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❤
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A REAL HUM-SINGER, IS THIS! ❤
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HUMMING RIGHT ALONG WITH THIS!
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Many thanks for sharing my hummingbirds! 🙂
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❤
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I wish I could have recorded the sound of the hummer’s flight, also. xo
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Pam, this is a beautiful ode to these astonishing birds and what a treat for you to see them so close. It must be heart-stopping and wondrous to look each other in the eye! Your last line sums up your experience and all the magic perfectly: ‘A glance at nature’s infinity.’ 😀❤️
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The hummingbirds by our window seem to be used to us now, and to my face pressing on the window screen just inches away from them. So, yes, one at a time, a hummer sits on the feeder perch (and I hadn’t realized that hummers can be STILL), and just stares at me – heart to heart, being to being. ❤
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A lovely tribute to such a beautiful bird Pamela. You are lucky. Sadly, we do not have hummingbirds in Ireland.
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We wait with great anticipation in New England for their arrival. It’s a short visit: mid-May until, if we’re lucky, mid-August. But many in this area don’t ever see one. I think they like our fuchsia and my guy’s sugar water elixir.
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The hummingbird! One of my favorite birds ~ something very magical about them … how quickly they come and go, sometimes in the blink of an eye!
Peta
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They are VERY magical. When they fly in place and stare at me – ah, I feel blessed. I wonder if you see hummingbirds in Vietnam, Peta.
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They are so amazing and wonderful to watch. Your poem captures your joy and wonder at seeing them.
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Thank you, Merril. A simple poem, but yes, as I watched I got so overcome I raced to my little pad of paper and wrote this poem. Of course, nature inspires us in such surprising ways.
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Yes, it does!
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Count us in as having a feeder just outside the window. Always a pleasure to watch – but their territorialism makes me laugh.
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So you know exactly what I’m writing about here. The dive bombing! We want to go out there, referee, and say, “can’t you all get along? there’s plenty of sugar water for everyone.” One hummer stands (sits?) on the top of the feeder and surveys for up to 10 minutes, not moving until another hummer dare try to drink at the feeder.
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Exactly!
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I could watch hummingbirds all day. I have a feeder right outside the room where I work. I read an article once in National Geographic about hummingbirds and there’s one line I’ve never forgotten: if we could understand the hummingbirds’ language, all we would hear are curse words. 🙂
Lovely poem!
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That’s hysterical, Amy. And yes, these sweet little ‘fairy-like’ tiny birds are quite ferocious with each other and don’t share well at all. I can just imagine the squeaky voiced curses. 🙂
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Nice poem and I enjoy watching hummingbirds.
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I imagine you get a lot of hummingbirds in your area, Gerlinde. When we lived in the SF Bay area, we got dozens, and they were a larger variety than these that visit us in NE.
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They are incredible creatures. Lovely poem.
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Hummingbirds are incredible indeed. When I read what biologists/scientists have learned about their flight/body mechanism, I’m in awe. I imagine you get a lot of them in Spain…?
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It is an amazing bird
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I could watch the hummingbirds fly around for hours. :-0
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I’d like to. They don’t migrate to England!
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You have to be quick to pick up all these goodies – snaps and video. I didn’t realize hummingbirds have no tongues; they just suck. You are one of the few people who can communicate with hummingbirds, except maybe Jill!
What gorgeous fuchsia flowers you have: with the bird, two examples of “red-throated magic”! 🙂
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Jill is definitely the “hummingbird whisperer” – I am merely an admirer who takes a lot of photos. So many, they seem to shrug their shoulders and say, “Okay, go ahead.” 🙂 And yes, they love the red-colored flowers we have around the yard. I’ve watched one put her little snout in the fuchsia flower and stay there for minutes. So cool!
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So nicely done, good ‘Warrior’! ♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray. Sometimes I dream I’m a hummingbird – what a great feeling while in flight! 🙂
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Fly, fly, sweet lady! ♥ xo
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Hummingbirds are so delightful. Kudos Pam!
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Thank you! These hummers at our window seem to have gotten used to me (or at least they tolerate my wide-eyed face peering at them just a half foot away). ;-0
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That sounds wonderful. Enjoy them for me! 🙂
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Lucky you to have hummers!
Lucky hummers to have you!
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You’re right, they ARE lucky because my guy puts fresh sugar water out for them almost daily. And they suck it all down. I wonder if you have hummers there in FL?
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I haven’t seen any near here. We had frequent visitors from hummingbirds in Maryland ~ so gorgeous.
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Not only are the hummingbirds amazing but they also have muse capabilities. They’ve inspired you to let go of some of your poetic thoughts.
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Why, you just gave me an idea! I wasn’t sure what my muse looked like (and Diana Peach has inspired us all with the description of HER muse – which granted is rather scary). Perhaps my muse is a hummingbird. Thus, that’s why my ideas can be a bit flighty at times. 😉
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I like it!
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Huge fan of hummingbirds! Loved your poem:)
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Thanks for enjoying my poetic joy at the sight of hummingbirds. ❤
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I love these fairies of nature and your ode perfectly blends with their moods Pam…I often wonder how could they flutter their wings so fast! What a beautiful and inspiring window you have!
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Scientists/biologists seem to be in awe of the engineering feat of those tiny speeding wings, Balroop. A hummingbird flaps its wings up to 70 times per second; its heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute. This is a beautiful slow mo video of the hummingbird’s wings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8vjYTXgIJw
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Loved it, Pam.
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Hope you gets some hummers in your area, John.
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Yes, we have them. Saw one this morning.
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Wonderful!!!
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😊
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Beautiful poem. But, I really love humming birds. Saw a program about them and didn’t realize how different species have different beaks to get nectar from specific flowers — thus allowing there to be enough nectar to go around. Loved the video.
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I didn’t know that different hummingbird species have different beaks, Patricia. I just read that most of these birds DO return to the same feeders or gardens to breed year after year. What’s more, they often stop at the same spots along the way and arrive on the same date! Not bad for birds with brains no bigger than a grain of rice. I’m so glad our hummer family found us four years ago and they keep returning.
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This is such a lovely poem, Pam. I have never seen a real hummingbird. We don’t get them here.
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Oh, my photos don’t do them justice, Robbie. They are so amazing to watch. Well, if you ever come my way out here near Boston, please come visit and I’ll share my hummer magic with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl1tiIiTi04
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What a wonderful ode to the Hummer!
And I am very pleased to see your sweet water is not tinted 😉
My mother used to live up north and she got them by the dozens… I’ve yet to see one in my neck of the woods.
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Only organic, sugar water combo for our special buddies, Dale. 🙂 Such a summer treat to watch their antics.
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😊
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Loved this post! Beautiful poem! 🙂
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Thanks, Kevin. The sound they make too – zzzzztt! zzzzztt! with the fast flapping of those wings. Not sure a musical instrument could imitate it.
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Even if it could, it still wouldn’t be the same. 😉
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How lovely! I love hummingbirds and we have quite a few to watch here.
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I feel blessed to be graced by their presence. There are no imitators! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl1tiIiTi04
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I love hummingbirds!! I had one come visit my flowers this past week while I was sitting on the porch. They come so rarely that I’m always in shock as I hear them zip past me, at first thinking they are one of the large bees we have around, but realizing they are much larger. Such a wonderful treat! 🙂
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What a glorious surprise! Yes, I love it when I’m just sitting on the front porch too and suddenly I hear that “zzzzzzzzzzztt, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzztt”. The Hummer Has Arrived! 🙂
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Wonderful salute to our handsome hummers! ❤ Lovely… xo
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Thanks, Bette. Hope the hummer reache you in Maine. xo
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YES! We are blessed… ❤
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This is gorgeous, Pam. We don’t have hummingbirds here. I’d love to see one.
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Sad that the hummingbird wasn’t able to make it across all that water to reach you all in Australia and NZ, a land I think would be perfect for them.
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We would love the hummingbird. But we have many wonderful birds here. Songbirds originated in Australia, I believe.
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You have captured this so beautifully. I have missed your writing, Pam!
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Hoping you’ve rested up from your AMAZING vacation and are back to blogging speed. xo
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It’s so fun to see hummingbirds, Pam, and you’ve reminded me we have to get our feeder going – those birds need their nectar!
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Somehow I had missed your comment from almost two weeks ago. But that gave you time – do you have your hummer feeder up yet? 🙂
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Hi Pam – eeek, no! We have the hook, but not the tube. I went out last weekend to buy a tube, but I didn’t like the ones I saw in the stores. And then I got crazy busy and forgot! I’ll keep you posted 🙂
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Wonderful poem, Pam. Love the video. Maybe you need to chip those flowers off the feeder!
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Huh, now I do wonder why the fake yellow ‘flowers’ are on the hummer feeder. I never really even noticed them! They don’t seem to stop the hummers from sucking down the juice, thank goodness.
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A wonderful ode to hummers! I have a woodpecker that likes my feeder too. The hummers leave him alone until he is done.
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I remember an earlier blog post of yours that shared your hummingbird visitors. We have a suet feeder near (six feet from) our hummer feeder, so we have the huge flicker, as well as ‘regular’ woodpeckers, on the suet, leaving the hummers to drink in peace. 🙂 However, earlier in the season some Baltimore Orioles tried to drink from the hummer feeder, but their beaks are too big.
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My hummers have been extra thirsty for the last week or two — so much that they’re even sharing the feeders :-).
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Isn’t that fun? I know, in the beginning only one hummer was allowed on the feeder at a time. But lately, when it’s either really hot or really rainy, two to three share. That’s more like it! 🙂
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Hi Pam, I am now noticing how your heading photo does change every week. Nice to capture and share the beauty. We have six hummingbird feeders and the hummingbirds are part of our family. Every family member checks on them throughout the day. Occasional competition with bees, wasps, birds and sometimes a couple of hummers at the same feeder. I think we are along some sort of pathway. I can hear birds in the background in your video. Nice to be part of it all! Thank you for sharing:)
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SIX hummingbird feeders?! Wow! That must keep you busy with refilling. Our one feeder is so busy we need to refill at least every other day. I also notice the competition with the bees/wasp. I just checked, and if a bee stings a hummer (rare, but it can happen), the hummer dies because it’s too small to take in that venom. We notice that on real hot days, or rainy ones, the hummers will share a feeder with two – three other hummers at a time. Otherwise, all bets are off. 🙂
Love being in/on your pathway. ❤ Yes, lots of wonderful bird chatter in the background. The most lovely summer music!
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My husband is in charge of this one:) Keeping them clean, refilled with correct % sugar/water. The grandchildren love to help…..I end up with some sticky kitchen floors🙂
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Ohhh, yes! That’s the only downfall. 🙂
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Loved this, and the short video. I love Hummingbirds and don’t get to see many, thanks Pam 🙂 xx
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So glad you enjoyed my hummingbird ode! xo
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❤
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Hummingbirds are such beautiful creatures.
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Hummingbirds = miracles in flight.
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Yes. 🙂
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Hummingbirds…oh I love them. They’re so tiny and so beautiful yet able to make it out in nature – I’d love to have one out in my garden but sadly it is too cold for them down here.
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Hummingbirds only visit us here in New England from mid-May til August – then they depart for warmer weather. Smart little birdies, huh? 🙂
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Very clever and very pretty at the same time:)
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Ohhh its magical…i love them
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Hummingbirds remind us that there is magic in all of nature.
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Hi. I’ve had only one closeup experience with a hummingbird, and I haven’t forgotten it. Hummingbirds are cool. See ya.
Neil Scheinin
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A “closeup experience” with a hummingbird is unforgettable. One afternoon I was sitting on the deck; hummingbirds were feeding from the hummer water at least six feet away. But suddenly one hummer came right up close to me, not more than 6 inches from my face. I was afraid she was going to see if my eyes were a flower and try to suck up some flower juice! But no, she just hovered with her wings fluttering too fast to see and ….. stared at me. I wish I knew what she was thinking….
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Sweet poem! I love hummingbirds. I have one that visits occasionally. Every season it hums by my study window on the second floor of my house. I don’t have nectar up there, just a regular ole bird feeder hanging from the gutter. I’ve thought about hanging a hummingbird feeder too, but I’m not good about cleaning them consistently.
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It IS a lot of work to constantly change the hummer water. My guy boils water and adds the right amount of sugar at least once a week and saves it in a special pitcher that we leave in the refrigerator until he refills the hummer feeder. An act of love. But I really think the hummers know and appreciate. Truly, after he refills the feeder, they zoom in and hover over him as if in thanks. 🙂
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I never have been a fan of birds because they always seem to be pooping on my car. But hummingbirds are a different story. I like them, maybe because they’re peppy and fascinating and they’re too small to poop much.
And I *really* like your hummingbird poem.
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Admittedly, we keep our car far away from our birdfeeder. We love the small goldfinch and blue birds and even the larger red cardinal. But my guy shoos away the red-winged black bird and crow. WAY too big with even bigger digestive results. 🙂 The hummingbird just releases little squirts of sugar water – who can have a problem with that? Mike – you always have a ‘different’ way of looking at things. Love your perspectives. 🙂
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Oh, how I love hummingbirds, especially when they buzz by unexpectedly on a hike or at a bench. Great poem, Pam. We once had a house sit in Northern California with a very popular hummingbird feeder. I couldn’t get enough of watching five or six at a time, trying to obtain their sugary treat!
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When we lived in the SF bay area, we’d get 5-8 hummers on the feeder at a time. The East Coast hummingbirds are much more competitive and fight to be the only one on the feeder. Welll, the west coast IS more laid back. 🙂
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Love this and I love your blog which is why I’ve nominated you for the sunshine award! ^^ Enjoy!
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Hummingbirds are interesting creatures. When they are close by they sound like a giant bumblebee.
Once in a while, it is nice enough to leave our doors open to the back yard for a bit so the dog can come and go as he pleases and the breeze can flow through the house. But one particular day a hummingbird came flying in and I was home alone. We have had birds in our house before…several times in fact, but never a hummingbird. This was awful! They are so tiny and fast and I had no idea how to catch it or what to do. So I ended up opening my french doors in the dining room and kitchen and was able to shoo it out the door with a broom. I was terrified I was going to hurt it. But it got out ok. I have some hilarious bird stories though. One involving my cat.. all turned out well but it was a hysterical experience. Hope you are having a nice summer! We are headed to Maine on Saturday for a week. I can’t wait! ❤
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Maine will be GORGEOUS this time of year. Enjoy!
Yes, it’s scary having a bird fly into a house. I’ve seen it happen in restaurants – and airports – and always feel so sorry for the bird. Glad your hummingbird escaped.
Your story reminded me of the time a BAT got in our CA house. Lots of bats in the SF bay area. Anyway, the poor thing cornered itself up in our high high hallway ceiling. At bedtime, we opened all the windows (and screens) and closed our bedroom doors. Thankfully, by morning the bat was gone. 🙂
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