In the beginning of July, fireworks shower the air with iridescent colors so luminous I could stare at them for hours, but the blasts of light only last a few seconds before dissipating into the night. Yet, another type of colored spectacle is visible each July from my front porch. They will pose for pictures and linger for hours.
Hummingbirds visit my house each July around Independence Day and stay for the whole month. We feed them with a regular hummingbird feeder. There is nothing fancy about the spot we have created for them.
One hummingbird liked our simple hospitality though. So much so that she decided to tap Mom on the arm for a thanks. I wrote a poem about the experience. It's too bad I didn't see it myself!
Gem of July
Buzzing
Humming
A gem quite rare
She came behind and poked me there
Right on my shirt, mistaken for a flower
Then flitted away at sunset's hour
A tiny hummingbird mistook me for a flower!
by Jessica Herzog
Here are some of the pictures Mom captured of the cute little birds. It's amazing they could be caught on camera at all due to their speed!
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| The green and brown is my favorite color combination. |
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| I love the way the feathers on his neck look like scales. |
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| Yes, the sugar water is right up there... |
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| Some yoga pose! |
* Special thanks to Cindy Herzog for letting me use her awesome pictures! *
