Hours of Daylight – 15:04

The shrinking daylight is accelerating. But while the summer progresses and the daylight shrinks and as the apocalypse looms in the Mideast I suddenly noticed a hummingbird on the feeder.

See, the other day i bought yet another hummingbird feeder and hung it in a more auspicious location. Although i’m not at all “religious” i nonetheless agree with Garrison Keilor that “god intends to challenge us.” As proof Keilor suggests the landscape of Texas. However when god wants us to feel soothed, and reminded that creation, regardless of its source or intent, is nothing short of miraculous, a hummingbird appears.

I know there are hundreds of kinds of hummingbirds, but i don’t care, they’re all amazing. In Minnesota at some state park i saw a whole flock of hummingbirds congregating at a feeder hanging off a ranger’s house. They all were a shimmering irridescent green that flashed in sun like green sparks. I’ve been fascinated with them ever since. When i learned many species live in Idaho i was determined to set out a feeder and encourage them to visit. Until today i’ve not had much luck, but only moments ago a little bird perched on the feeder, took several drinks, then throttled up the wingbeats and flew off.

It was hardly larger than a cicada, of a dark color i couldn’t make out. Unlike some feeders the one i bought has perches around the perimeter and today’s bird seemed to appreciate the chance to land and drink leisurely. After several sips it straightened up, did a wing stretch, then while still perched began flapping, increased the flapping speed to the point where i could actually hear a low thrumming, let go of the perch, lifted an inch or so and hovered, backed up about two inches, rotated clockwise (toward where i was sitting), and zoomed forward past me and away. It was like watching a super-mini version of the tourist helicopters in New York as they depart the 34th St. heliport.

I’ve read hummingbirds learn where the food is and it is important that you keep a “discovered” feeder filled and clean. This is especially true near the end of summer when hummingbirds migrate. They drink as much as half their body weight in nectar each day, so knowing where the reliable filling stations are becomes crucial. Well, my feeder has six ports, holds 32oz of nectar, and is hanging out of reach of cats or squirrels. Considering the birds weigh about the same as a dragonfly 32oz would be enough to feed quite a few. Will the one at the feeder a few moments ago return with friends? We’ll see.