Yesterday, I noticed a hummingbird hanging out on my deck instead of visiting the feeder. I found it peculiar.
Then I noticed him sitting on the feeder perch for an extended period of time. I walked up to the feeder and started talking to him. I asked him if he was okay. I got the feeling he wasn't.
To my surprise, he let me touch him, and then he flew away.
I had a sinking feeling. If he was allowing me to get that close, something wasn't right.
Throughout the rest of the day, whenever he came to the feeder, I would go outside and talk to him.
In the evenings, I bring my hummingbird feeders inside because a raccoon likes to drink the sugar water. As I went outside to bring the feeders in, the hummingbird appeared and perched on the feeder. He didn't move.
I stayed out there with him for about twenty minutes until I heard the raccoon raiding another bird feeder nearby. I knew the raccoon would eventually make her way onto the deck and try to drink from the hummingbird feeder.
I gently asked the little hummie if he would come onto my finger, but he wouldn't move.
So I ran inside, grabbed a box and a net, carefully removed the feeder he was perched on, and slowly placed him into the box. I covered it with the net and brought him inside.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have a hummingbird sleepover.
I slept on the couch beside him and prayed he would make it through the night.
In the middle of the night, I heard the quietest sound come from the box.
My heart sank.
I knew he had passed.
I never would have imagined I would bear witness to a hummingbird passing away or be part of such an intimate experience. 💔
I don't know why this hummingbird chose my deck.
I don't know what happened to him.
But I am grateful our paths crossed.
For one brief night, I had the privilege of caring for a wild being at the end of his life.
Nature gives to us every day—the air we breathe, the water we drink, the beauty that inspires us, and the countless relationships that make life possible.
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can offer in return is our care.
Not because nature belongs to us, but because we belong to nature. 💚
