April 25, 2008: Today is a warmer day, around 60 degrees, with a gentle wind. I took my dogs for our usual walk, but business took me out of town, and now it had been several days since my last visit. We walked down the long service road to the lower level, and I checked the usual meeting places for my hummingbird encounters. No sign of anyone, but this had been the first pass, the “hello, I’m here”. We circled around for the return up the hill, and I took one more pass by the bench. I checked each tree for that little form resting on a branch, but the trees are all blooming now, and it’s getting harder to spot so little a bird. Ah, there he was. I saw the glistening of his breast feathers, that metalic red sheen. He’s such a beautiful male specimen.
He spoke to me of commitment and focus. Yes, worthy topics. He also stated that there was something I needed, a healing. I agreed, the last week had been a whirlwind, and I felt depleted and spun by all the activity. “Alright, I’ll sit on the bench for a while”, and I walked to the bench 10 feet away from me. As soon as I sat he shot up from his branch, rising up in a curve, stopping several feet above me. He spread his tail feathers out to show his power. “I am here with you, I am watching over you”, he said. Then he returned to his perch, and remained for another minute.
I stayed at the bench a few more minutes and then began my walk up the hill. I have seen another bird, I believe female, flying along the hill. This bird is the transmutation bird I spoke of earlier. Today I spotted her, perched on a branch along the road. “Hello!”, I whispered to her. She did not wish to be seen by the others walking up the hill, and gave only her presence as a greeting. I diverted my attention for a moment, and when I returned she was gone.
This was a good day, and I returned home to see my friends chasing each other in the feeder area of my garden. I have at least four hummingbirds residing nearby and dining at my gourmet feeders. We welcomed the warmth on this early spring day, and for a moment time did not matter.
