« Wet hummingbird, warm eggs | Main | Puppy pondering »
February 07, 2010
Hummingbird Tales: They're here!
Lit by the afternoon sun, the mother hummingbird hangs in midair today, waiting for me to move back a bit. She allows me to get quite close to her nest, but when I cross some invisible threshhold she takes wing; I retreat and she returns, angrily flitting about my head, her wings fanning my face as I hold perfectly still, camera at the ready. I can see her reflection in my glasses as she hovers behind my head, the thrumming of her wingbeats growing louder as she moves closer to assess the threat.
Raindrops cover our hummingbird Saturday as she provides shelter from the storm for her two chicks, perched atop last year's newly-renovated and enlarged nest.
The hummingbird returned to the nest after a brief absence, seemingly taking advantage of a brief dry spell between squalls to flit off for a snack.
Suddenly, tiny gaping beaks appear from within the downy depths of the lichen-and-moss-covered nest, seeking a hot lunch.
The chicks hold still as their mother, with a swiftness and deft touch that'd rival the very best carnival sideshow swordswallower, slides her rapier-like beak down their gullets.
It's hard to believe no lasting damage was done to internal organs as she leaned forward, her beak going even deeper as lunch was delivered.
Both chicks were fed in a matter of moments, dropping out of sight as soon as the meal was done, their featherless bodies huddled together for warmth.
With her meal duties done (for the moment), the hummingbird settled down atop her young charges, rustling feathers and squirming as she corked the nest with her body, ready to shelter them from the soon-to-resume rain.
And there they are, looking like little porcupines, covered with hair-like quills that have yet to transform into feathers, stubby yellow beaks soon to grow long and narrow, the black spot on the tips spreading until all traces of color are gone. Eyes closed, their heads are naked, wrinkled and black.
Posted by Mike Lief at February 7, 2010 10:51 PM