writing

Aviary Jousting

One of the only reasons why I deal with Virginia summer heat is the hummingbirds in my backyard. Seeing them throughout the mornings but rarely during the heat of the day while mid-to-late afternoon seems to be the best time to be a hummingbird with the sun softly filtering through the tree leaves, with the promise of cooler temperatures. The intense feeling of sunshine on your face/wings is something that cannot be put into words reminding all creatures whose in charge.

 With the summer garden in full bloom shaded by an abundance of leafy trees to nest within, and fresh hummingbird bird nectar kept on tap, it is understandable why they are territorial.

Amateurs practicing to be sports commentators need to be calling out the events and highlight plays of three male hummingbirds fighting over the same nectar feeder. It is an extremely fast-paced spectacle with breathtaking near misses. Way more interesting than the National Geographic documentaries make it seem.  Contests start with an advanced form of jousting as the Green hummingbird nervously sits on the feeder getting a snack, stopping to look around quickly before dropping his proboscis-like beak back into the bright colored hole of the feeder. At the same time, a Purple hummingbird comes attacking with wings swooped in attacking like a dart towards the Green hummingbird, which once alerted is now launching towards Purple in a similar fashion. It could be called like…

“AANND AWAY THEY GO INTO THE TREES AND AROUND THE SQUIRRELS, WITH GREEN MARAUDER HEADING RIGHT FOR THE PURPLE FLASH AS NEITHER APPEAR TO BE PULLING UP AND OOH, OH they are gone folks. Let’s switch to Camera B. Ok, here we go folks, both hummingbirds are spotted, they moved higher into the trees, maybe both pulled up at the same time? Moving into the 2^nd portion of the competition, Green is again guarding the nectar, pacing in anticipation, it seems to be Purple’s move, coming in FROM BEHIND PURPLE FLASH IS DIVING, DIVING, WILL IT BE SEEN BY THE GREEN… WOW ladies and gentlemen let’s put that into slow motion, THE GREEN MARAUDER ROTATED A FULL 360 SPOTTING THE PURPLE FLASH  WHILE MOVING BACKWARDS!” Slow-motion shot were made for displaying the joust facts on a nectar branded graphic highlighting wing rotation, beats per minute, and flight path drawn on the screen similar to how they draw out routes taken from line of scrimmage during a football game.

Then the third male hummingbird makes his appearance, “and we are back, the Marauder is staying strong, I always say that a strong defense is the best offense, BUT WHAT IS THIS, IT APPEARS THAT THE THERE IS A NEW PLAYER TRAILING THE PURPLE FLASH, now diving down, but they got too close! THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SLICE BY THE MARAUDER, WHO MANAGED TO STOP THE NEWCOMER AND REDIRECT PURPLE. BUT OH NO, it appears he left the feeder wide open, THE PURPLE FLASH IS LIKE A FEEDER SEEKING MISSLE DIVING INTO THE TARGET, GREEN IS CATCHING UP TAKING AN ALMOST VERTICIAL ATTACK DIVE ANGLE, AND HE BARLY CUTS HIM OFF!  Leaving the Purple Flash and the newcomer to refuel in daylilies. Lets go back to Jim in the booth with Today’s Squirrel vs Car Report. Back to you Jim”.