This post is in memory of my beautiful little hummingbird who.....
died yesterday. She/he was with us since we moved into this house and I think she or he was about five years old.
She was very tame.
She kept guard over the feeder.
She was at the deck on the rope each morning.
She let you walk up to her.
Her beautiful body has been donated to the Swan Lake Nature House for them to use for education with children.
At Swan Lake they quick freeze the body of the bird and then they take it out and arrange the wings stretched out as if they are flying. So she will fly forever.
We called her Nancy.
She was an Anna's Hummingbird and she stayed here all winter. They even have their babies in the winter months.
She had tiny feet. So pretty.
At first she was just a baby.
I found her in the morning just under the rope she slept on, I took her inside and called the Wild Arc and they said I was doing everything that one could do.
These are all pictures of her and the various family of hummingbirds at the feeders.
She was my best friend even though I got angry with her for attacking other hummingbirds. I will miss her constant presence in my yard and my deck. She lived with me in the house for a day as she went into torpor. I did everything I could to get her to come out of the deep sleep of torpor but she stayed beside me in a box all day, moving her wings a bit and her heart was beating and when I left and went upstairs for about twenty minutes and came back she had died after I left her alone. I had tried giving her sugar nectar with an eye dropper but she could not eat. The vet had thought she would die right away but she stayed with me for the whole day. At least she was in a warm box in the warmth of the house with soft blankets. There had been some fighting with other hummingbirds at the feeder the day before so I guess she got injured or was just too old to live.
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Today I am linking to:
The Weekend in Black White
Saturday's Critters
The Bird D'Pot
MacroMonday 2
Ruby Tuesday Too
Thanks so much to the hosts. Readers please click on the links to see wonderful blogs and photos, also click on those who comment for their photos and blogs.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND BLOGGERS AND BIRDERS.
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I am sorry about your sweet bird...we can get attached so easily to them. I adore hummers but we only get them for a few short months here. I always wondered how long they lived and I guess 5 years is about the life expectancy from what I could find from internet sources. I had a sweet bird that used to come up and watch me through my kitchen window, miss that little bird.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sonia.
DeleteI am so sorry, Nora. I have no doubt that she trusted you to give her comfort in her final hours. And that, you did. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the comment Hilary.
DeleteSo sorry about your hummingbird. We love our critters, whatever they may be. I remember my Dad, a rough, tough, forest ranger trying to save a sparrow that was struggling to live that we found in our pasture. We lost it but my Dad tried hard. One of my favorite memories of him.
ReplyDeleteHi Yogi, thanks so much for your comment.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story. I didn't know hummingbirds could be so "tame" as I never get close to one. They flit off and don't spend much time on my tree though I do love to see them however fleeting it might be. Creatures are so special. I'm sorry she died but I'm glad you had a long relationship with her and pleasant memories.
ReplyDeleteShe did well by you, lasting that long! Hummingbird life spans are 3 - 5 years!
ReplyDeleteHow sad that she died. Sorry for your loss. I have become quite attached to the birds that visit us everyday. I get disappointed when the Stellar has not visited for a few days. The male and female Varied Thrush visit every day.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. She was beautiful and special. She knew you were with her.
ReplyDeleteNora, thank you for posting this memorial story about your hummingbird.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post about your gorgeous little hummingbird - so touching. I am sorry for your loss and yet I can't wait to see who is next at your feeder, maybe the one that won the battle is your new Nancy 2!
ReplyDeleteWren x
I'm so sorry. You did everything you could. This was a beautiful memorial to Nancy -- who was a beautiful bird friend.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. Thanks for taking good care of her at the end. You are such a sweet and caring person.
ReplyDeleteAbout 5 years ago three hummingbirds were born in a nest (built on wind chime under our patio cover). Two of the three came back for two years, and the next year there was only one, and we haven't seen him since. They were so un-bothered by our presence that we were sure they remembered us, because they sure did know exactly where they were migrating to. We don't know what happened to them, but still felt a loss at not seeing them.
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful little bird and how special that you had a close relationship with her. She certainly knew that you cared for her.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame about Nancy, your hummer. But she had a wonderful life living at your garden.
ReplyDeleteHow sad! I know you will miss her. Glad you got lots of good photos to keep and to share. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am so sorry about the loss of your Hummingbird. They are so sweet, I am sure you did everything you could to help the poor hummer. A lovely tribute post and beautiful photos! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the loss of your little bird. What a wonderful experience to have a such a close relationship with an amazing bird like that. Your post is a very nice tribute to her.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your precious Nancy. How wonderful that she will be preserved and will be something for children to enjoy and learn from. A legacy that seems very worthy of your friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, heartfelt tribute!! I like the fact she'll ''fly forever''.
ReplyDeleteFor linking in at I'd Rather B Birding, all of us birders are very appreciative...thanks!
How wonderful - and unusual - for her to last with you in the house for so long! You know you did all you could, and she stayed with you as long as she could manage. This is a sweet memorial.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear. A fantastic friend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series.
ReplyDeleteSad. It is nice that you will be able to visit her and see her flying forever.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. I know you will miss Nancy.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. It's hard to say goodbye
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. Short of made me tear up. Now she'll live forever.
ReplyDeleteOh my this was very sad news and I feel so sorry about the loss of your sweet little hummingbird. I think it would have been wonderful to have been a part of her life, watching her & photographing her. I'm glad you were with her at the end. She was just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences, Nora.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for these lovely comments. I will reply on each of your blogs as time permits. I appreciate your comments so much.
ReplyDelete