No, you're right—this isn't a good photo of either a ruby-throat or Oswego tea. The hummingbird is facing away from the camera so not much detail is visible, and the flower head is wilted, drying and in sad shape.
But there's far more revealed here than you might first realize, because it's an image of the moment. Not in the usual photographic sense. But of the here-and-now, a portrayal of certain time and specific place; a depiction of an instant this morning when—amidst possibly the longest period ever recorded of such relentless heat and drought in this corner of Ohio—a tiny, hungry bird, looking for any sip of nectar it could find, made a sad, meticulous investigation through a faded patch of bergamot.
Watching was enough to break your heart…
14 comments:
I know what you mean. I've been vigilant to keep our feeders fresh and clean because there isn't much left for these little guys to feast on. I've also been keeping the bird baths cool and full. Sprinklers on for the birds a little while each day.I hear your plight may be somewhat worse, but we aren't far behind here in Illinois. Things will change, but some things may not survive till then. Like...my flowers!
Debbie
Debbie…
I water regularly—and give a good long measure per plant, too—but it isn't enough. The sun and heat still take their toll. Everything in the yard is, with only a few exceptions, wilting, dying, or already dead. I have no idea how the spring bulbs are faring. The trees are shedding leaves like its October. And what are usually the hottest, driest months of summer still lie ahead.
Kinda makes you wonder whether some Elijah has prclaimed another drought, huh?
Oh how I wish I hadn't visited you today. This image will haunt me.
On the other hand, just hours before I did visit, I got a photo 'text' from my friend Reva. This amazes me as she hates technology and to my knowledge, didn't know how to make the video on her phone work.
She's in Ky.... on the mountain, and the video was of around 30 baby hummingbirds at her mother's feeder.
I'll try to pick that image as I fall asleep.
Love you, Grizz.
Which illustrates why prophets were not popular speakers in their day. ;)
Debbie
HI GRIZZ - one thing Skipp and I keep atop is our birds food and water sources. DUring this time of loss it was important and honored my Mom as she loved watching the birds so we attend to them for her as well. And in fact, one of the poems she wrote that Dolan read at her funeral Mass was about the birds in the next outside her window. She too loved nature, storms, and birds, a first snow, and leaves changing color. As I look at your amazing picture of longing for nourishment and water I am called to my own grief which thirsts for relief.
Love to you
Gail
peace.....
Robin…
Well, if it's any comfort to you, know I keep my hummer feeders full of fresh sugar water…and, of course, the river with plenty of handy shallows for watering/bathing is within spitting distance. So no local birds should go thirsty, and no hummer has to try and depend on the meager nectar supply for a meal. Too, the plants of nearby prairies—coneflowers, etc.—aren't so stressed and stunted. Lots of blooms there. Bugs are not in short supply.
I'd love to see 30 hummingbirds at the same time! Wow!
Take care of yourself, and Meander in this heat.
Debbie…
Truth or not, no one likes the bearer of bad news! Or should I say the good news, not if it requires changing bad habits.
Gail…
You are your mother's daughter. And I'm sure she saw and understood and was very proud of that fact. Grief takes time. It will never end, but you'll get past the worst of it eventually. Your wound is fresh. You wouldn't be the lady you are if it wasn't there, and didn't hurt so deeply. Don't try and suppress your feelings, or apologize for feeling them. We all grieve in our own ways and pace; it's God's design for healing our hearts. And in the end, it teaches you more about yourself, and more about love, more about what really matters, than you could ever believe possible. Grief brings us face-to-face with life.
GRIZZ - my grief is my heart and my forever love for my Mom's life and purpose. I ache but I am blessed that I can and do. Someone offered me a 'pill' at the services, I said 'no', I want to feel it all.
Love ail
peace....
Gail…
I've never been willing to take pills under such circumstances, either. Numbing down is dumbing down, to me, and speaking only for myself. I don't want to hurt, but I'd rather hurt than not feel. Besides, a pill just helps to avoid that pain temporarily; sooner or later you have to face reality, however painful, else your life become a situation of avoidance—a pill-ruled unreal world. You can't have a life without taking part in life. At least I can't…
Extremes of nature have such a profound effect on the wildlife don't they Grizz - and we feel helpless when faced with the situation.
Hi again - looks like you and I live fully, regardless, both joy and sorrow full blown. I,like you, wouldn't have it any other way.
Loving you
Gail
peace.....
Weaver…
Yes, to both. We can look ahead, plan, but wildlife can only react to whatever extreme, whatever hardship or situation. Their struggle often occurs suddenly, without warning. Food, water, shelter, nothing can be counted upon. And when we witness their struggles, it is often very tough to have to watch them do their best while knowing that best will not be enough.
Gail…
Amen to that. Life isn't meant to be lived safely in the shallows; the joy and worth is way out there in the deep water.
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