My First Baby Hummingbird
Six days ago, I suddenly discovered a tiny hummingbird nest on an orange tree branch. Probably it had been there for three weeks. I was surprised that my husband didn’t accidentally knock it off when he picked oranges.
At first, I thought it was dust caught in the cobweb. I almost wanted to squirt it with a hose. I took another look, it looked like a neatly squeezed together cheese ball. Then I saw a pointed beak sticking out from the nest. I quickly grabbed my camera, climbed the ladder my husband put again the tree. Surely it was a teeny-weeny hummingbird. It was so still that it looked dead and abandoned. I poked the beak, he jumped out of the nest and fell on the grass. It made me feel horrified. I quickly picked him up and put him back to the nest. By that time, the mama bird was flapping her wings around me.
For five day, my first thing in the morning was to see the baby hummingbird. He grew, and his body came up higher and higher in the nest. Both mama and papa checked their baby frequently. On the fifth day, he wiggled and wiggled, then flew out of the nest. He flew to one tree branch, clung on to it as he practiced flapping the wings. Then flew to another branch and flapped. After five minutes, he flew to the other side of a row of Cypress trees.
I worried that he didn’t know where to find nectar or the bird feeders. After a couple hours, the mama bird found him and brought him to the bird feeder.
This is the first baby hummingbird in my garden. I researched on the growth of hummingbird babies. One site indicates that it takes 16 to 18 days to incubate for the eggs to hatch. A YouTube video shows from eggs to hatching, to babies flying away, takes 26 days. I wish I could have watched the process from the egg. It’s as thrilling to watch his growth even for a few days.
The Showers of Blessings 
Oh ! I am so thrilled. Thank you Miriam! You were blessed to have this.
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Yes, Yassy, thank you! I watch him every day and researched a lot about hummingbirds because of him.
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Thank you my dear ! I am so happy now looking at your babies.
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I’m so glad to share with you, Yassy!
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Oh my gosh this is absolutely adorable! I have one hummingbird that flys around my backyard, I need to put up a feeder! It’s so hot here I’m sure it is thirsty!
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Yes, I don’t have enough flowers especially in the summer to give enough nectar for the birds. They depend on the feeders. The baby is doing very well. It’s a treat for me to watch it every day!
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So loved this post! Your photos were great!!
xoxo
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Thank you so much, I’m still taking photos every day for this little one!!
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How adorable!
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Thank you very much. I was so excited. ❤
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Oh my gosh i would be sooo excited
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Thank you, Beth. I’m watching him every day.
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I feel like I now NEED a humming bird in my life!
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You may have hummingbirds in the winter. They go south to Mexico along Pacific and to Florida along Atlantic. They may stop by you. Research on how to attract hummingbirds!
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I have planted orange honeysuckle and that is the only time i have seen one. And it was in the winter time
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Yes, you see hummingbirds in winter where you are.
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Thank you for the nomination. 🙂 🙂
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What a wonderful photographic gift you have, Miriam! And you did such a wonderful job of rendering the time-lapse aspect of this little nest – congratulations and thank you!
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You’re welcome, Teresa. I had fun and was careful in taking those photos!
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🙂
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🙂 🙂
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So very gorgeous, Miriam – and in your own backyard!
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Thank you, Norah. There were many sad stories about different birds this year. I only post this happy one. When we came back from Alaska, we found two nests on the ground, probably got blown way from the trees. I found a dead bird on the driveway. Then there is a nest with an abandoned egg, still on the tree. I took photos but am sad for those unsuccessful mama birds.
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It is sad, but we take joy in what we have. Death is but a part of life that reminds us of life’s fragility and that we must treasure every moment.
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It’s so true, Norah. Realizing that makes me to be grateful and appreciative!
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What a lovely experience for you, Miriam. To watch this baby bird grow and thrive is amazing.
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Thank you, Robbie. The baby is lovely. I watch the family of three having fun every day. The baby tends to perch on then branches. Papa comes by to swoop the baby, encourages him to do more flying. The baby still enjoys nectar, natural juice, over bird feeder. He once in a while goes to the feeder.
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Lovely pictures, Miriam, and you have capture them so well.
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Yes, Pranitha. I tried to be slow and quiet, not to scar the baby like I did on the first day of discovery. Thank you!
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Absolutely stunning! Such wonderful birds, you have captured them superbly.
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Thank you so much, Denzil. The baby is doing very well and has a favorite spot to perch on a small tree under the bird feeder. I watch him every day. It is fun. 🙂
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What a beautiful treat! Enjoyed every beak of it😉!
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Thank you so much! I was watching him and taking photos for a good 1/2 hour. 🙂 🙂 ❤
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Yes, I do get into that kind of a shoot too😉 Your pictures were really good.
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Thank you so much. I may post some baby himmie’s photos. 🙂
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WOW!! He is adorable!! 😍 I’m also amazed that the next didn’t fall when the oranges were picked. It looks like it’s barely hanging on there! The shape of the nest is also interesting. 🙂
Maybe you’ll get to see the parents raise another next year from the egg. ❤
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I hope so, Grace. The internet says they may come back to rebuild the nest. 🙂 ❤
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Oh, that’s exciting! I hope that they do too! 😀
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I covered it, hope it will withstanding some weathering. 🙂
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I hope so too. I’m sure covering it will help. 🙂
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I’ll watch it closely. 🙂
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how cool! I am so jealous! we dont have humming birds in ireland, do you live in california? when you said orange trees i pictured california. glad you had this wonderful experience though!
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Yes, I live in southern California. The tree was here in our garden we we bought the house 25 years ago. It’s well established. It has two crops a year and the oranges are sweet. I know not every country has hummingbirds. I have to Goggle it and see where they usually are.
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I’d love to be able to grow oranges I think that would be very cool
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Yes, for two years, orange trees in the nursery of Los Angeles and Orange County are in quarantine. We want to plant a lemon tree. We have to buy it from another county that has clean citrus trees.
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Of course I love birds and this is the sweetest post I’ve seen yet on wp. Thanks Miriam!🌸
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Thank you, Cheryl. I was so excited as if I had a second grandchild! 🙂
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Another special treat to find in your garden, Miriam! So glad it happened in a garden of someone who appreciate the beautiful things in life!
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Yes, thank you. the residents in my garden include squirrels and lizards. They are the off springs. I haven’t seen their parents for a while. I hope they are not gone!
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Amazing story and pics! Love this. 😊
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Yes, I was so thrill to watch it. Now I pay attention to the feeder. 🙂
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Oh how very precious. What a cool experience and photo op for you. 😀
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Yes, Cee! I’ve seen a hummingbird nest at two friends. I always wish to have one. So glad to watch it! 🙂
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Awwww Miriam 🙂 🙂 this is so incredible! I felt bad for you too when he fell but it all worked out just fine :):) I have never seen a baby hummingbird either, so this is quite fascinating. There are dozens of them buzzing around here all the time but I have never seen a baby one 🙂
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Thank you, Margaret. I think all the birds like to build their nests in somewhat private area to reduce threats. I wonder if we had branches cover the nest earlier and broken as we picked oranges and exposed to the nest. I’m glad the egg was hatched by the time we see it. 🙂
I’ll be going to a Writers Conference for 3 days, and then fly to Portland to see Autumn for a week. If I don’t check your blog, I’m not g=forgetting you! 🙂
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YAAAA a visit with Autumn. I can’t wait to hear all about it :):) No worries about the blog. You can get to it when you can, it will be there. Plus I know you have a Bible handy if you need some scripture 😉 🙂 LORD, I ask You to bless Miriam at her conference, and her trip to see sweet Autumn 🙂
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Thank you so much, Margaret!!! 🙂 🙂 ❤
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What a wonderful experience Miriam. You captured it beautifully.
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Thank you so much Brigid. It was exciting. You’re quite activity on the WLW FB, I’m spreading myself to thin.
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Its not easy keeping a balance. I took last week off completely. 🌼
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I’m attending a Writers Conference for 3 days starting tomorrow, then will go see my granddaughter for a week. So I take breaks from blogging here and there, but it’s not a complete break, so I don’t announce it. Have a nice week, Brigid. ❤
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He is beautiful, Miriam. The little family like your trees. Have a great time!
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Thank you, Nahla. I’ll try to keep the nest safe for next year!!
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What a gorgeous hummingbird!!! I’m so glad you had this experience Miriam, must have been beautiful for you. 🙂 My understanding is hummingbirds symbolize joy.
Blessings to you in all ways, and to the hummingbird family.
Great post!
Love, Debbie
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Oh thank you,Debbie. I’ll name this baby hummingbird Joy. The whole family is enjoying the feeders, as there are not enough flowers to give them nectar.
Blessings and love to you! 🙂 ❤
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Awesome Miriam! And to you too. 🙂 Have a great weekend. Love, Debbie
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Thank you, Debbie. I’m in a Writers Conference that last until tomorrow. 🙂
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This is so beautiful! What wonderful photos too, Miriam!
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Thank you so much. I’m glad that I got the last photo before it flew away. They are still around to come to the feeder every few minutes!
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How fabulous Miriam and to get some great photos as well. It was lucky the orange picker didn’t disturb the nest or that woman with a hose lol
I am sure you will keep a look out next year. Do they come back to the same place to nest each year?
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Thank you, Brian. You made me laugh. My heart almost skip a beat imagine what could have happened if… My research says that they may come back to rebuild the nest because of wear and tear. I hope they’ll use it again.
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I hope so too
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Thanks.
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