I just experienced one of the freakiest but COOLEST things. I was out on the front patio with Boots when I heard a "thud" on the glass of the front door. I turned around and there at my feet was a tiny little hummingbird, knocked out from the impact. I scooped it up before Boots could even think about it. (AND I was lucky enough to have my camera in hand, hoping to catch Boots doing something cute).
Poor little guy (girl?) was out cold. I held it in my hand like this for at least 10 minutes before it finally started to stir. I was getting worried that it had died. I just kept looking at it, amazed at it's tiny size and iridescent bright purple and green feathers.
After it finally opened it's eyes and perked up, I figured it would fly off. But, it didn't. It opened up it's wings and held one of them out to the side. I thought that it had broken it's wing. I was thinking, "I wonder if I can keep a hummingbird as a pet?" How would I feed it? (yes, seriously these thoughts went through my head!)
So, I tried it:
I think I almost fell over when it stuck it's little beak in the feeder! All I could think was "how many people get to hold a hummingbird in their hand while it is drinking from a feeder?"
It sat there like this for another 5 minutes or so, drinking off and on while I watched, completely mesmerized by this surreal situation.
And then, all of a sudden it started to "vibrate" in my and and it flew off into one of our mesquite trees. Just like that. Leaving me to think, "Did that just really happen?"
I did a Google search to find out what kind of hummingbird it was. Turns out it is a
Costa's Hummingbird. Apparently, Tucson is located in their summer breeding territory. The Costa's Hummingbird was named after French nobleman Louis Marie Pantaleon Costa, Marquis de Beauregard.
See you at the feeder tomorrow Beauregard?
28 comments:
Oh my! That little thing is a jewel! I am so glad the precious thing was alright. I really can't get over how tiny it actually is.
What a blessing to be able to hold that little guy in your hand. It's too bad he had to hit the window for you to be able to do that, but none-the-less, it was still a blessing to hold him. Thank you for sharing these rare photos. :)
Lucky you! I once briefly held a sparrow, but never a hummingbird.
Freakin' amazing! And you got pictures of it! I have a feeling Beauregard will be back.
Amazing!!! Thanks for sharing.
That is super cool! And you with your camera handy :) What a neat lil bird. He must have just knocked himself senseless, poor thing. Glad he got up again. I wonder if he'll remember you in the future? That would be neat!
What an amazing experience you had!! How fortunate your camera was in hand. Lucky you!!!
That is pretty neat... kind of an honour :)
In the last pic he's so cute, looks like a little plane getting ready for take off.
Wow! What a blessing, for you and Beauregard. So glad you got there before Boots.
Gorgeous bird! My friend, Diana, in St. David sits out on her porch and watches the hummingbirds coming to the feeder. She raises Appys and is active in Cowboy Mounted Shooting, which is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Need to get back there for a visit.
Wow, just wow! awhile back there was a YOutube going round of a teenaged boy who had raised a hummingbird (I don't remember the exact story) anyway the tiny bird was imprinted on the boy and it was the sweetest thing ever.
What a wonderful experience, such a sweet little bird, it just needed a little encouragement to fly again.
I had a similar experience with a bird hitting my windows once, here is the post, thought you might enjoy.
http://bluestarrgallery.blogspot.com/2009/02/moment.html
I would hazard a guess that there aren't too many people who have experienced what you just showed us. How miraculous!
I do know that hummers have very high rates of metabolism and while they are awake need lots of food. You may have saved it, not just by picking it up, but by taking it to the feeder to resupply the tank!
Lucky you. I am so glad you had your camera!!!
Wow! I guess it needed some time to recover in the warmth of your hand after ringing its bell. Sounds like the little guy was dehydrated too. I'm glad both wings were working in the end.
How awesome! I am glad you were right there to save the little guy.
What an amazing experience. It is so cool that she/he just sat there in your hand until it felt better...it must have felt it could trust you. I never tire of watching these precious little creatures.
Love the story and the pics. Hummingbirds amaze me. When I was in Tucson, the Sonoran Desert Museum has a hummingbird enclosure and they just swarm you when you walk in. I could have stayed in there for hours. Glad Beau was okay.
How much fun was that? So glad he ended up being OK. Wonderful photos. Lucky YOU!!
That is SO COOL! I've had them fly around and buzz my head when I let the feeder get empty w/o realizing it and I'm outside working and they're ready to eat, but I've never held one or been able to feed it. Way to Go! Love the pics.
I heart Beauregard! What an amazing experience you were able to photograph and share with us. He's SOOOO cute...and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
OH MY GOD!!! That is truly AMAZING! Only You Bridget! It's going to remember YOU! SO COOL!!!!!!!!!
That is soo cool, we dont get much for hummingbirds around here, but I always remember them as a child at my grammas cabin.
WOW! Thank you for sharing this incredible story! I would be thrilled to just SEE a hummingbird. It's a little cold for them in New York. I saw a hummingbird drinking from a flower in one of the paths at the San Diego Zoo when I was probably 8 years old. That's one of the only things I remember from that trip.
Just checking in to see if you had photos of the 2 week old babies but every time I look at this hummingbird pic I'm just in awe. It's just so awesome.
So awesome! And such wonderful photos of your special experience!! This happened to me a few years ago, with a Ruby throat, which happens to be the only hummingbirds we have in our neck of the woods. Thud into the window... I rescued to save him from the cats & dogs. I held him long enough for hubs to take a pic, and then he was outa there. You were very fortunate to have such a long visit. He or she sensed your kind heart! And what a beauty with that purple! -Tammy
I had a little Hummer expend the very last ounce of energy getting to my feeder in late Spring a few years back, and then pass out with his feet locked around the feeding ledge. There he was, upside down, swinging back and forth in the wind like a loose shutter. I went out and levered him upright and put his little beak in the feeder and he gulped down enough to get himself back into full consciousness, but in the meantime, his little wings were going 1,000 MPH in my hand as he ate. He was just a baby - half the size of the other males at the feeder, and he kept losing his balance at first when I tried to let him stand on his own. Eventually get recovered himself and was able to fly to a nearby tree, but I'll never forget the incredible feeling of those wings fluttering against the inside of my palm.
We have both been blessed with an opportunity to save a little Winged One. It's a wonderful feeling to know that you've come between a small, helpless creature and untimely death. Congratulations, and I bet he remembers your feeder and comes back in the Fall on his way South.
Christina / SVG
I have to keep coming back to this post Bridget. Makes me smile over and over.
Totally cool!!! You were in the right place at the right time. Lucky you and lucky humming bird!
You are the Hummingbird Whisperer!
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