The hummingbird is symbolic of joy—living on nectar and searching for the sweetness of life. —Jamie Sams
Walela forages for food more frequently now, to feed her growing babies. When she approaches the nest again, her tiny wings shimmer and stir the air. Sensing her presence, her hatchlings lift their heads and open their beaks.
Mama Hummingbirds feed her hatchlings anywhere from 4-6 times per hour, but it happens very quickly. Because I was standing on the porch at the just-right moment, I was able to captured their fast food dinner on video.
So tell me: Have you ever seen anything sweeter than this?
*The first hatchling was born on January 29th, and the second baby was born on January 31st. So they are 5 and 7 days old, respectively. (Earlier pictures here.)
What a beautiful video–you are an amazing documenter! So grateful that you can do this and that you share the photos and videos. Hummingbird bills are so long and pointy–it seems like it would be easy to damage the hatchlings, but I realize that that doesn’t actually happen. It’s a wonderful design that works out just fine <3
I was lucky enough to be standing on my front porch when this miracle unfolded. And how serendipitous, that I’d slung my camera around my neck. 🙂
Yeah, Walela’s beak is stabby, and her feeding motions do seem rather violent. But Mother Nature knows what she’s doing…it all works out somehow.
A birthday gift for both of us | A Joyful Noise
[…] One of the highlights of the afternoon: Seeing pure, unadulterated joy spread across Karin’s face as she climbed the ladder and peeked into Walela’s hummingbird nest. […]