Eight feet out my window at work is a little peak at nature seldom seen. I'm guessing that since in about a month I'll hit 60 and I've never seen it.
Maybe a hundred feet out is a creek. It runs another three hundred feet in a white water tumble into some deep pools before it disappears into a culvert under a freeway. But right here it's natural. Big Leaf Maples, Red Alders, Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedars are the big drinkers. The understory is Vine Maple and a collection of Western Sword Fern, mosses and grasses where robins, nuthatches, and an occasional tanager swoop and dash. Deer come to sip water and small trout dart out from the cut bank. Great Blue Heron lurk in the shallows waiting for the smallest fish to think their legs are sticks. Overhead soar Golden Eagles, Red-tail Hawks, and Turkey Vultures.
But all those I've seen many times. Outside my window this spring has been a hummingbird nest. It's about the size of a golf ball and covered in gathered lichen. Now in the first days of summer the babies are ready to leave. Earlier this afternoon they got in a tussle over who would go first and the smallest one ended up thrown down the side, clinging precariously where it it finally fluttered back into the nest and now is hiding under its bigger sibling. Maybe tomorrow is the day.
You never really know about tomorrow.
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Mary Stanik
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rated with hugs
an old friend of mine had relatives in the hardest hit city after the japanese earthquake and tsunami. she hadn't heard from any of them and was worried for days. until she found a hummingbird nest in her garden - and knew it was a sign of hope. everyone was OK. :)
Thanks for the cyber tip. Don't know that I can figure it out.
Thanks for coming by.
It's only one that shows. The nest looks like a big bump on the branch. The edge is flat, the baby is looking to the right, beak upward.
Aw shucks.
Thank you very much for the compliment.
A one of a kind find indeed. Mother bird was just here a bit ago feeding them. They are so small and fast. The only bird that fly backwards.
There are a few that visit the back yard too and if I stand still near the honeysuckle they will hover within feet of my face.
I need to read more. Are there cultures that say they bring good luck?
Thanks for wishing it for me. I wish it for you.
Thank you for the connection. I must get over there to read it. They were my mom's favorite bird...maybe I will find that is similar with you.
True words. Last week I was changing the food in the one hanging off the pergola covered in honeysuckle in the backyard. I tumbled off, broke the feeder and pretty much ended up looking like your avatar.
Cute isn't it ?
The mother hovers and feeds and is gone before I can fumble and get the camera out.
Thank you.
Thank you. A few small words seemed to fit.
R
They do seem to enjoy each other's company. Thanks for the visit.
Your lens skills are well documented. This was an opportunity through the glass I couldn't pass up. Thanks for stopping in.
Thank you. It was a seize the moment situation. I wish I'd had the camera during the big sibling tussle.
Our yard is a squirrel's paradise, Two types of spruce, a large pine and the neighbor's walnut tree make it quite the hang out. Their antics are quite amusing too. thank you...........
Thanks for coming by. It sounds like you have some to watch also.
Thank you...and now it's tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing your discovery!
Thank you. Little bird, big truth.
Yes. That is quite the little hum they make with their wings. They are attracted to our gardens at home too. I know it will sound goofy but sometimes I try to imitate their little peep, and they twirl around and come closer.