A flash of harmless lightning,
A mist of rainbow dyes,
The burnished sunbeams brightening
From flower to flower he flies.
~John Banister Tabb
From the porch as I sit, sheltered from the rain, watching lightning strikes carve dazzling designs beyond the horizon, I can barely see her.
The leafy canopy she so carefully chose to build her nest beneath is heavy with rain. The long graceful maple branch bearing her delicate cup hangs low.
Steadfastly she waits out the storm.
The sky flashes brightly.
Her children will be tough as nails.
Forged of a steely nature whose strength defies all others'.
But, for now, two pea-sized eggs.
Under the protection of a hummingbird mother.
Yes! Another nest!
Hummingbird nest
2 eggs
6/21/08
I'm hoping to be able to document this nest and the lives within--
similar to this spring's vernal pool series, "With My Boots On."
"A Bird's Life," coming soon!
2 eggs
6/21/08
I'm hoping to be able to document this nest and the lives within--
similar to this spring's vernal pool series, "With My Boots On."
"A Bird's Life," coming soon!
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14 comments:
Nice photographs, not the easiest to get good photos of well done, and beautiful word to compliment the images. Kev
Lyrical and lovely as always. I'll be looking forward to the hummingbird series.
Your narrative is poetic. I am happy that you have the opportunity to watch another hummingbird nest. That's got to be exciting! Looking forward to the posts.
oh nina, how precious.. i'll have to browse around since you said 'another'.. hope they go on to live happy hummer lives.. :)
TWO nests. WOW. You are one lucky lady. I can't wait to see and hear all about the nesting activity.
Please do, Nina! I would be thrilled to find a hummingbird nest. And don't forget your boots :o)
Mary
Gracious! You are a lucky lady. I've never found even one in-use hummingbird's nest. "A Bird's Life" is bound to be great.
I'm so happy for you, finding another nest. I so wish we could find them nearby. We have no idea where our hummers have built. I'll be anxiously awaiting A Bird's Life, and your beautiful photos.
I look forward to seeing 'A Birds Life'... neat poem.
Wonderful poem. It certainly befits the hummers.
I hope your hummingbirds have good luck. I had some in my atrium for the second year. They're fledged and gone.
Oh my--a hummingbird nest. Well, that is even more special than a mourning dove nest.
Pea-size eggs--that small? It stands to reason--since the birds are just bits.
Lightening--good comparison.
Any kitten news?
Fortunately, this little bird tolerates us well, feeding within a foot of where we eat dinner on the porch and watching us from a nearby branch.
I hope she'll be successful in raising her brood under our watchful eye. (pea-sized eggs in a half walnut shell-sized nest!)
Gosh!
Kitten news, for those who remember the little barn orphans:
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Plump and full of life--quite a change from 20 days ago!
Marvellous photographs Nina... I remember seeing Brazilian Ruby Hummingbirds (Clytolaema rubricauda) a few years ago; I was staying in a small pousada amidst the remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest on the northeastern coast of Brazil (between Natal and João Pessoa). In the mornings before breakfast, I would lie in my hammock on the porch and watch them flitting between the flowers... it was most magical.
Looking forward to seeing some more pictures!
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