Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Rain Drops and Humming-Wings (Symphony of Nature)

As I was letting the dog out this morning, coffee cup in hand, I was taken somewhat by surprise that the Humming Birds would be flying around in an extremely heavy down pour. I decided at that moment that the rest of the day and the world would have to wait for me today. Still in my pajamas, I called the dog inside, grabbed my camera and now cold cup of coffee, and in my excitement to get outside and capture the moment for an eternity, I forgot my slippers.

Standing no more than a foot from the feeder, frozen as statuesque as I possibly could, they came. Wings a-hum, chatter in throat they came. First the Emerald females, brazen, bold and unafraid they came. As the torrents of rain picked up in pace, still they came. The Ruby throated males, buzzing their way mere inches from my head, causing the now grey hair around my temple to waver in their wake, they too came. With click and camera flash, they fluttered, flared, flitted here and there, stopping for moments to drink the nectar in generous gulps, they came.

As they danced their winged ballet, I stood, still, a smiling statue. Enthralled by the exhibition of natural design, I soon realized I was witnessing something more than just birds going about their business.
I was a one man audience, witnessing one of nature’s greatest symphonies. Seemingly, with no regard to my presence, they continued sing their song, and hum their tune, they played on. Even though I was an intruder on what is normally unseen, and unnoticed I watched, listened, and enjoyed their company’s production, and was glad, they came.