ALL AFLUTTER
Appreciating the chance to briefly become a member of this vibrant community
My day is never complete without being outdoors and taking photos of wildlife, no matter the season. My husband, Mick, and I took an early retirement, he from a career in law and me from a wonderfully fulfilling career in education. I often took photos of my kindergarten students during play, as well as of family members, but never of wildlife.
Upon retirement, we moved from the Niagara region to the small town of Dwight, Ont., in the Muskokas. Our home was on a small private lake in the country, which was quiet, relaxing and very tranquil. Luckily, there was lots of wildlife to keep it interesting. I spent hours outdoors walking the trails across the road and snowshoeing them in winter.
One of our neighbours, George, who was in his 80s, was an avid birder and introduced me to the wonderful world of bird watching. I’d always enjoyed reading stories about animals to my students and connecting them to the natural world, but had never had first-hand knowledge or expe
rience with them. George had many feeders in his yard and I quickly learned the names of the many local birds that frequented them. My favourite was the ruby-throated hummingbird. These tiny, super fast little creatures were both entertaining and amazing to watch. George made his own sweet nectar and always kept the feeder filled.
I remember one summer day going over to George’s house and standing on a ladder beside the feeder, trying to get a closeup of the tiny-winged bird, when it started to rain. I was sheltered as I stood on the second-to-top rung of the ladder so my camera and myself didn’t get drenched. Then came the most mesmerizing experience of my life. There must have been two dozen hummingbirds buzzing around me and the feeder. For an hour or so, I enjoyed feeling the wisps of air across my face created by their hardworking wings and watching some of them come right up to within inches of my face looking at me. I was able to get a few good closeup shots but what was most memorable was the feeling of being part of the hummingbird community if only for that hour.
When the rain cleared, I remember walking back to my lake house still hearing the hum of two dozen little wings. That’s when I decided I needed to put up my own hummingbird feeder to study and learn from these little birds.
I purchased a small feeder from a local garden centre, filled it with sugar water and placed it in the lilac tree outside my kitchen window. Within a short time I got my first little visitor. I’ll never forget how thrilled I was and how thrilled I am today, even after six years, every time I see one.
One of my favourite hummingbird pictures is the one where the male ruby-throat was perched on the branch, happily content with his day’s feedings and keeping guard, which they often do to ward o other hummingbirds. I hope you enjoy my photograph and feel a sense of peace when looking at it. Even in this fast-paced world of never-ending to-do lists, there comes a point when we need to stop the craziness and sit, relax and ponder what’s really important in life. For me, connecting with family, friends and most of all nature is what makes me happiest.