Born on the Fourth of July

First, is the wind.
Then, follows the rain.
So has been the pattern of these past two weeks.

A furious wind that is heard before it is seen.
And leaves a visible mark in downed trees and branches scattered about.

I worry about the little hummingbird nesting with us.
And imagine what it must feel like to ride the branches as they sway in the storms.
From the shelter of my house I watch her, atop her nest at the end of a long, narrow maple branch. Her dark green back against the light green lichens, all I can see.
Secured by spiderweb tethers—it is anchored tightly.



Up and down she rides, never leaving them.
Two small white eggs, protected from the storm.
Still, I worry.



All is well.
They are here.
Two tiny lives begin.

Egg #1 hatched 7/04/08

Egg #2 hatched 7/05/08

I did not expect the first chick to be so pink--the Cornell web site describes their condition at hatching as, "Helpless, naked and black."
By day 2, it has darkened.
I must have snapped this shot as soon as it was out of the shell!



This morning, I found the paper-thin shell on the lawn.
Mama has been tidying up.



Progress of this family will be regularly posted to
"A Bird's Life."