My Beloved Hummingbird M.I.A

Where are they and where have they gone? I have been searching for my beloved hummingbirds and have not found them. They are usually dashing to and from around the yard, dodging one another in gleeful play around the bird feeders, the rose bushes and other flowers. But they are MIA. Have they already begun their migration south? According to North Carolina State University, hummingbirds leave North Carolina when winter comes in. They fly so quickly, nearly 61 mph.  I miss their tenacity. I enjoy watching these creatures and am so energized by their strength and resolve. They may be tiny but are so feisty. One day, I observed one positioned in a vertical position, flapping his wings ever so swiftly, not moving then he swooped inward and outward towards a bee that was maneuvering around the feeder as if he was telling the bee to, “put up your dukes, it is war, you are not wanted here.” The hummingbird made several swift motions toward the bee as if in a protective fight mood, the bee finally moved on and the hummingbird enjoyed several gups of his nectar before other birds soon joined him.

Fight or Flight of the Hummingbird

Hummingbirds may be small in stature but are fierce little creatures, another time, it was a really hot sunny day and I had been watering my plants when I don’t know what this sparrow was doing monopolizing the feeder and sugar water, but the hummingbird briskly swooshed him away. This is the first year that I have noticed so many different kinds and sizes. At the beginning of the season, I observed one dark green back that was so tiny, he probably was the size of my pinky finger which did not even look like he was real, The other two were red throated birds but a little larger, but each were so busy and were always talking to each other. As weeks went on, I observed more joining them. At some instances, I had about six zooming and actively moving ever so swiftly. These were located at the window of our breakfast dining table, and two other feeders were located on the opposite side of the house. I love them and am so energized by their speed and determination as I watched one flying upright as if telling a bee to “put up your dukes, cause this is my feeder, and you are not wanted here.” He made several swift advances towards the bee as in a protective fight and the bee finally moved on. This hummingbird enjoyed the nectar from his own feeder as other birds soon joined him.

                                     Joy Comes From Watching these Little Ones

I love watching these amazing hummingbirds; however, this is the first time that I have observed so many different sizes and colors (one was so tiny the size of your pinky finger) he did not seem real. I have observed how much he has grown, although he is still smaller than the others.  Hummingbirds seem to be territorial, sometimes monopolizing the feeder but other times they seem to play a lot with each other.  Our front and back yard seems to have more of the Ruby throated hummingbirds although I have noticed the dark green backed ones this year.

                                    Be a Hummingbird Watcher

Would you consider making a safe haven for the hummingbirds as they migrate from the North to the South? Provide feeders for them and colorful flowers and other plants for them to play in and or rest. Some hummingbirds may migrate later in the season, therefore leaving your feeder in the fall or winter will be helpful for those that stay later or never leave North Carolina at all. They are really great therapy for one’s soul. I enjoy connecting with the hummingbirds and remember when they first arrived one stood in front of the windshield of my car to let me know they had come for the season. I love nature and every moment to enjoy God’s creation!